Catania, businesses: "Is it culture that drives tourism or the other way around?"

Is it culture that drives tourism or the other way around? The awaited outcome of the candidacy for Capital of Culture, provided it is considered a catalyst, not an alibi, and regardless of the result, will be one of the tests to demonstrate one of the two theses.

In the meantime, amid the “unknown war” with further repercussions on the well-known high flight prices and accommodation facilities full for Easter and the May Day bridge, but already registering a decisive drop in bookings since June, some solutions are being sought.

Ornella Laneri, president of the Tourism section of Confindustria, is blunt: "Certainly, there is a contraction in attendance, natural and inevitable because we are in a waiting phase. The reasons? They range from the high flight prices that will cause problems for all destinations, and that is why we ask the national government to cut excise taxes. Then there is the war, have we noticed? And no one can say they are sure and safe. In Sicily, we have Sigonella, Trapani, and the Muos, people are afraid and will be until it is clear whether the government supports the USA or not. A bit like what happened with Covid, we do not know what will happen. Therefore, we must seek fiscal space and the moratorium on mortgages, contain and reduce costs, work today for tomorrow and with “domestic” tourism, promote the territories more with a future perspective. The market contracts and then expands, it is a matter of understanding where humanity is going."

Cna Catania, about to join the Special Commission on the Tourist Tax (TdS), a tax that has increased since last February, has proposed first to Mayor Enrico Trantino and yesterday in the Culture Commission chaired by Erika Bonaccorsi (FdI) the introduction of a “cultural cashback”, which translates into discounted tickets at municipal sites for those who stay and pay the tourist tax, in addition to the Municipality's participation in the Ttg Travel Experience, the main event for global tourism in Italy that will be held in Rimini from October 14 to 16.

The cultural “cashback” would certainly increase the latest data released by La Sicilia on attendance at sites managed by the Municipality from December 8, 2025, to January 6, 2026: 2,408 at the church of San Nicolò La Rena, 1,542 at the Museo Vincenzo Bellini, and 418 at the former monastery of Santa Chiara. The data for the Roman amphitheater in Piazza Stesicoro was not provided, despite being requested, and the house of Giovanni Verga managed by the Region has been closed for maintenance for some time.

“Creating a tourist mentality is not yet an achieved goal - commented the territorial secretary Cna Andrea Milazzo - we need to close the gap with other destinations and not only target the low-spending tourist.” “For us, the tourist tax remains a significant issue for small and non-hotel structures - added the coordinator Cna Turismo Antonio Merenda - but considering that it should be used for ad hoc interventions, we have proposed to invest part of it in a data collection system and evaluations of tourists to enhance the most profitable asset.” “As Cna, we have been participating in the Ttg di Rimini for years, looking towards 2027, the institutions in Catania must be present - specified Agatino Castorina, Cna Turismo manager - many colleagues consider the tourist tax excessive for the city we are, we are happy with the nomination as Capital of Culture, but the city must be ready.