Ministerial Decrees 281, reserved for the Travel Agencies and Tour Operators sector, and DM 280 dedicated to trade fairs and congresses, were published on 27 April.
We are obviously interested in the second reserved for the trade fair and congress sector. Ministerial Decree – DM 280 – provides that the contribution is due to fair bodies and to subjects with the main Ateco code 82.30.00. To these are added entities providing logistics and transport and set-up services, which however have a share of more than 51% of the revenues deriving from activities related to trade fairs and congresses.
To access the contribution provided for by DM 280, the subjects indicated above must have recorded a difference in revenues, due to the Covid-19 emergency, equal to at least 50% between 1 August and 31 December of last year compared to same period of 2019.
Furthermore, they must have the same requirements indicated for travel agencies and tour operators in ministerial decree 281.
In other words: carrying out business activities in Italy; have no bankruptcy proceedings pending; be in compliance with social security, insurance and tax contributions. Furthermore, there must be no impedimental conditions in bargaining relations with the Public Administration and not be the recipients of disqualification sanctions (art. 9 paragraph 2 of Legislative Decree no. 231/2001).
How resources are distributed
DM 280 also indicates the breakdown of resources allocated to the trade fair and congress sector.
The fair bodies and organizers of fairs are allocated 121,333,000 euros in proportion to the difference in revenues for the period 1 August 2020 – 31 December 2020 and those achieved in the same period of 2019.
To those who provide logistics, transport and set-up services that have a share of more than 51% of the revenues deriving from activities in fairs and congresses, 81,334,000 euros go, in proportion to the difference between revenues for the period 1 August 2020 – 31 December 2020 and those achieved in the same period of 2019.
The contribution provided for by DM 280 can be cumulated with others earned on the basis of emergency legislation, it is sufficient, however, that the total amount does not exceed the difference between 2019 and 2020 revenues in the periods considered. In any case, it must not exceed the authorized aid, according to the rules on state aid.
To access these refreshment measures, only one application can be submitted, referring alternatively to the trade fair or congress sector or to the logistics sector or the setting up of fairs and conferences.
In order to apply for the contributions of the DM 280, notices will be published shortly by the Directorate General for Tourism Planning and Policies containing the methods and terms for submitting applications for the sectors of trade fairs and congresses and tour operators and travel agencies