The calculation is done “by eye”, but the regional councillor for Tourism brands New Year's Eve in the main centres of Sardinia as “a success”, with concerts (partly) financed by the Region.
Its offices have allocated "2,250,000 euros (partly from state funds from the FUNT and from the remodulation of funds not spent for major events, such as Sant'Efisio, which would have been lost in the surplus), approximately 45% of the overall cost of the events held between 23 December and 1 January".
But what kind of business was created? An estimated 150,000 people attended in total. "If on average (between those who stayed in a hotel, consumed multiple meals, used public transport, etc. and those who only had a few drinks at the bar or bought a small pizza) each had spent 100 euros," Cuccureddu calculates, "the business would be 15 million. Considering that 9/10 of the VAT and 7/10 of the personal income tax go to the Region," he underlines, "the event has amply repaid the regional financial investment (which is in fact an investment and not a contribution), but which nevertheless serves to give oxygen to tourism, artisan and commercial businesses, which suffer in the winter period."
(Unioneonline/E.Fr.)
