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The parts of Italy that are offering incentives to tempt tourists back

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The parts of Italy that are offering incentives to tempt tourists back
Sicily is one of Italy's popular tourist destinations hoping to lure visitors back this summer. Photo: Iudovic Marin/AFP

From discounted air fares to bonus nights in hotels, regions all over Italy are offering travellers even more reasons to visit.

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Italy's massive tourism industry has taken a hit from two months of total shutdown and an ongoing ban on visitors from outside Europe.

In a bid to revive the sector, which makes up 13 percent of GDP and 15 percent of jobs, some parts of the country are offering incentives to holiday in Italy this summer – and both domestic and overseas visitors can benefit.

READ ALSO: Why the Italian government might give you up to €500 to go on holiday in Italy

On top of a 'holiday bonus' worth up to €500 for lower-income households in Italy that's funded by the national government, some regions will subsidize your accommodation, waive museum entry fees or hand out discounts on guided tours.  

Here's a guide to what's on offer if you're planning to travel in Italy this summer.

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Sicily

The island's government wants to give discounts on plane tickets, subsidise hotel stays and cover the cost of guided tours for visitors arriving in the coming months.

The regional administration has set aside €75 million to buy services from Sicilian tourism businesses, which it will then offer to tourists in the form of pre-paid vouchers. Some of the funds will also go towards covering part of visitors' air fares, by paying airlines to offer discounts to people booking flights to Sicily.

As well as using the vouchers to pay for your accommodation or an excursion with a licensed guide, the first 600,000 visitors will also be able to show them at one of the region's museums or monuments to get free entry.

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The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily. Photo: Iudovic Marin/AFP

The scheme is still at the planning stage, but when the vouchers become available the region has indicated that they'll be distributed by tour operators and travel agents.

Some cities have already begun offering discounts, though – for instance Palermo, where people flying into the city's airport can book four nights for the price of three in participating hotels (more details here).

Piedmont

The northern region is offering tourists three nights for the price of one for the next year as part of its plans to restart tourism.

The regional government will spend at least €5 million on 'holiday vouchers' to subsidise hotel stays. For every three nights that visitors book in Piedmont, the region will effectively pay for one and the accommodation owner another, the government says.

Each traveller can purchase up to ten vouchers, which will be valid until the end of 2021, the regional tourist board told La Stampa. They could go on sale as soon as July 1st, one industry representative told the newspaper, and operators hope to expand the services they can be spent on to include guided tours, excursions and nature lodges. 

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Visitors admire the tulips at Pralormo Castle near Turin, Piedmonte. Photo: Marco Bertorello/AFP

Alto Adige

The autonomous province of Alto Adige (South Tyrol) plans to offer antibody tests in hotels, both for staff and guests.

The blood tests are voluntary and free for guests, with the cost subsidised by the province. The province is aiming to carry out some 20,000 tests, starting in the towns of Tirol, Merano and Schenna. 

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Calabria

In addition to the national government's travel bonus for lower-income families, Calabria is launching its own scheme to help residents afford a holiday this year.

People who live in the region can apply for vouchers worth between €80 for an individual, €160 for two people, €240 for three people and €320 for a family of four or more, to be spent on at least three nights in accommodation within Calabria.

The bonus is only for people who live in Calabria permanently, and who have an annual household income of €20,000 or less.

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The coast of Tropea in Calabria. Photo: sea_and_sunset/Unsplash

Young residents aged 18-24 can also benefit from a separate €200 voucher that they can put towards a trip or other leisure activities in the region.

Marche

Central Marche also has a bonus for residents holidaying within their own region: residents can apply for a one-off payment of €50 per person to spend at least two nights within Marche but outside their own province.

The scheme is open to all adults who live in Le Marche, regardless of income, on a first-come-first-serve basis.

With other regions promising to help out local tourist businesses, there may well be further bonuses to come. We'll update this list with the latest details.

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