A recent significant measure for the Italian ropeway and mountain sector has been announced by the Ministry of Tourism, which has earmarked an additional 230 million euros for the modernisation of ski lifts by 2024.
This action is the result of close collaboration between the President of ANEF (Associazione Nazionale Esercenti Funiviari), Valeria Ghezzi, and the Ministry of Tourism. Minister Daniela Santanché and her team have shown a clear understanding of the challenges and needs of the ropeway sector, a real driving force for tourism and the economy of mountain areas. These funds will not only support operators during the ski season, but are also intended to encourage a process of deseasonalisation, which is increasingly essential to ensure the economic sustainability of tourist resorts throughout the year.
‘The measure of the Ministry of Tourism is part of a wider strategy of unprecedented actions: no government has ever paid as much attention to tourism and the Italian mountains as we do, even providing for a specific fund in the budget law. Our support is aimed at planning and managing a sector of vital importance, both for the winter months and for deseasonalisation, and which needs to move forward in a process of renewal fuelled by resources aimed at fostering its sustainable growth from environmental, economic, social and cultural points of view’ explained the Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè.
The funds will be used for the renovation, modernisation and maintenance of cable cars and snowmaking systems. Operators will be able to apply for this funding from 24 June 2024, and each investment project must have a minimum amount of 300,000 euros, with a maximum contribution of up to 10 million euros for each beneficiary over several years.
These initiatives are particularly important for small lift operators, who often face difficulties when a lift system needs to be replaced or overhauled. In addition, they support the modernisation process of technical snowmaking facilities, which have made great progress in terms of efficiency and reduction of water and energy consumption, with a focus on environmental sustainability.
