UK tour operators are calling for an urgent operational review after a court in Rome declined an appeal to suspend a plan to limit the number of coaches allowed into the city’s centre.
The court found there were insufficient grounds to overturn an original finding in favour of the restrictions, which will now be implemented on January 1.
The limits are intended to safeguard the urban heritage and to control traffic and pollution.
But Tim Fairhurst, director of policy and secretary general of Brussels-based ETOA, said its members don’t believe this will be achieved.
"While the city’s stated intention is to reduce pollution, reduce congestion, and safeguard urban heritage, it remains the case that limiting access for low-emission tourist coaches will not improve either," he said.
"We call for an urgent operational review of the plan, a grace period during which unintended contravention is certain given the last-minute and confusing nature of the plan’s implementation, and very careful monitoring of actual impact to traffic, business and air quality that is attributable to the plan’s operation.
"The practical consequences to the visitor economy are already dramatic. Operators have been looking for alternative accommodation outside the central zone and coach transport providers have already had their businesses seriously compromised."
He said the risk of further costly litigation from operators and reputational damage for the city is high.
"In addition, the platform through which operators must apply for permits which went live on 17 December, does not state what information must be provided.
"City administrations have a duty to provide information sufficient to comply with regulation, and a duty to provide an environment for businesses where they can make investment decisions and continue to serve their clients. The current situation, with all its costly and damaging distraction, was completely avoidable."
He said no-one disputes the benefit of improved infrastructure, low-emission transport, and other innovations promoting smart, sustainable accessibility but said: "In Rome, this vision requires a vast amount of funding to turn it into reality, together with an ability to create and implement a plan which is sufficiently insulated from short-term political calculation."
ETOA said it is ‘willing and able’ to play a constructive part in supporting destinations working to these ends.
