Tourism represents 13% of GDP and 15% of employment, and as you know is going through a moment of great difficulty due to the health emergency. In addition to the holiday bonus put in place by the Government, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti also intervened by setting up the National Tourism Fund, which aims to mobilize investments of up to 2 billion euros for a series of interventions especially in the fields of training, innovation , the enhancement of properties and the creation of national champions, with particular reference to historic and iconic hotels throughout the Italian territory. The sum allocated by the CDP is 750 million, to which must be added 150 million from the Relaunch Decree and then the contribution of the various private investors.
Here are the four pillars in detail:
1. Training: offer of professional training courses for the qualitative growth of hospitality Made in Italy:. In December 2019 CDP launched, in collaboration with Th Resorts and Ca' Foscari University, the Italian school of hospitality, to train the new managerial class in the tourism sector;
2. Innovation: development of innovative solutions and services. In January 2020 CDP launched the National Innovation Fund to support companies in the sector through Venture Capital. The Fund has already financed 11 startups in the sector, in the field of digitization of operational processes, sustainable tourism and internationalization of the offer, with further projects in the process of being approved;
3. Consolidation of managers: creation of national champions in the management of hotel structures, also through the leverage ofequity. The Group is already a shareholder of Th Resorts and Rocco Forte Hotels and has contributed decisively to their growth over the last few years, bringing them today to a level of over 13.000 direct and indirect employees, with important interventions in the Southern Italy;
4. Enhancement of real estate assets: purchase and modernization of hotel structures, promoting the separation between real estate ownership and hotel management, to ensure adequate investments and high quality standards. Over the last few years, CDP has already acquired 7 accommodation facilities for a total investment of 160 million euro.
“Tourism – he commented the Chief Executive Officer of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Fabrizio Palermo – represents one of the key sectors for the country from an economic and employment point of view. The moment of great difficulty it is experiencing may, however, represent an opportunity to accelerate its transition towards a more professional, competitive and innovative offer. The birth of the Fondo Nazionale del Turismo further strengthens the already consolidated capacity of the CDP Group to intervene in the sector, favoring the redevelopment of the jewels of Italian hospitality and thus contributing to the evolution of the business model of tourism-hotel companies. The launch of the Fund is part of the CDP Group's organic strategy for tourism, based on important initiatives in training, innovation, enhancement of real estate assets and promotion of the consolidation of hotel managers, in line with the 2019-2021 Business Plan".
