The Federation was founded in 1899 and includes within it 120 participating associations. The latter, denominated Territorial Associations, reunited in 20 regional Unions, mean to be real reckoning points for the territory they operate in.

In relation to the Marche region, we met Luciano Scola, president of the Regional Association of Hoteliers and of the Gabicce Mare Hoteliers Association.

Concerning projects and initiatives on which you are working on, how does the cooperation with the March Region and the Assessorship dealing with this sector concretise?
I would say we are very happy with the collaboration we have set up with the Marche Region. The Assessorship for Tourism has shown itself to be very responsive to operator's problems.

What are the tasks of the Regional Unions?
First of all constantly monitor local realities and especially become a spokesman for the peculiar requirements of the operators of a certain geographical area. Each region has within it even remarkable differences as far as hotel reception is concerned. If we consider the Marche region we find its coast very well equipped compared to the inland, which we also mean to valorise, as it still has wide margins for development.

As well as being involved in the activities of the association, you are first and foremost an entrepreneur. How is the "way of doing tourism" changing in the Marche region?
First of all it has two precise characteristics: it is demanding and loyal. If tourists have felt at ease they will return both for the summer holidays and for weekends or bank holidays. The latter is undoubtedly a characteristic of these times: the average holiday time is shortening. Tourists prefer to divide their holidays throughout various periods of the year. A concrete example. If up until a few months my hotel filled up for the season with 200 families, today it requires at least 800.

What is the profile of the tourist that chooses the Marche region?
If you take away the 15 days of august where the public is basically represented by young people- let us not forget that in Gabicce there are some of the most famous clubs in Italy - in the remaining periods it is especially a family sort of destination, which requires tranquillity, clean sea and quality reception facilities.

March.2002

Federalberghi
Marche Special Report