by InTrieste
Friuli Venezia Giulia has opened a new €10 million ($11 million) grant program designed to support the construction of high-end hotels and the renovation or expansion of existing ones, part of a broader effort to raise the quality of hospitality in the region.
The program, announced Monday by Sergio Emidio Bini, the regional councillor for production activities and tourism, will remain open until Oct. 17. Eligible applicants include both new investors and operators of existing properties.
“In the 2022–24 period, Friuli Venezia Giulia recorded a 10 percent increase in overnight stays, reaching 10.35 million,” Mr. Bini said. “The growth of tourism, particularly international visitors, requires a constant improvement in hospitality services and the quality we offer.”
The grants are aimed at four-star hotels and above, with a minimum investment of €4 million required. Public funding will cover up to 30 percent of eligible expenses in mountain municipalities and up to 20 percent in other parts of the region, capped at €2.5 million per project.
The initiative extends beyond previous editions by including UNESCO World Heritage towns such as Aquileia, Cividale del Friuli and Palmanova, as well as the Collio wine area and the former provincial capitals of Gorizia, Pordenone, Trieste and Udine.
Regional officials said the allocation reflects long-term strategic priorities: boosting mountain tourism, preparing for Pordenone’s role as Italy’s Capital of Culture in 2027, reinforcing Udine’s position in the sporting landscape, capitalizing on Gorizia’s partnership with Nova Gorica as European Capital of Culture in 2025, and building on Trieste’s recent designation by Booking.com as one of the world’s top trending destinations for next year.
“Tourism is a fundamental driver of our regional economy,” Mr. Bini said. “Investing in quality facilities ensures sustainable growth, attracts visitors, creates jobs and delivers positive results for our communities.”
