City authorities in Florence, Italy, have announced plans to introduce a new accommodation tax based on EUR1 (£0.87) per person, per night, per star of category from 1 July.

The levy would apply for up to a maximum number of nights, with hoteliers responsible for submitting receipts to the authorities at City Hall on a monthly basis. Under 10s will be exempt. It had been thought that a reduction or abolition of coach permits for groups staying in the city would offset the impact of the new tax, although such plans have yet to be confirmed.

The move has been criticised by the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA), which said that Florence had put the the industry in an "impossible situation". ETOA head of tour operator relations Nick Greenfield said: "Initially the authorities had mentioned that such a tax might be planned for 2012.

"They now talk of the transparency and simplicity of the system but that completely overlooks the lack of clarity in decision making and uncertainty that we have had to endure." Image: D Gayo