Italy is open for the summer holidays after the coronavirus pandemic, and many regions in the country are introducing incentives to encourage tourists to spend the summer holidays in Italy this year. Badly affected by the COVID-19 crisis, Italy is working hard to rebuild its tourist industry, which is essential to its economic recovery. From holiday bonuses to heavy price discounts amongst the tempting offers, one little-known village in Italy has topped them all. The village of San Giovanni in Galdo in Italy is offering tourists free accommodation for week-long stays this summer.
Why is San Giovanni in Galdo offering free accommodation?
San Giovanni in Galdo, located in the region of Molise, is home to a beautiful selection of charming but empty houses, as well as breathtaking scenery. The Italian village, with a population of around 500 people, has become increasingly empty throughout the years due to depopulation, as young people tend to leave the area and move to more populated areas in search of better job opportunities. While other villages in Italy with similar depopulation issues have opted to sell houses for 1 euro, San Giovanni in Galdo has opted for a different approach with free holidays this summer 2020.
How does the free accommodation scheme work?
The project in San Giovanni is called “Regalati il Molise” (Give yourself Molise), and the idea is simple and with no catches. The village is offering some of its empty houses for free stays to successful applicants. Stays will be for one week, and once tourists arrive, they’re free to spend their time enjoying the region’s delicious food, rich history and beautiful scenery. San Giovanni in Galdo, located approximately two hours from Rome and Naples, will be offering 40 stays this summer 2020 between 4th July and 3rd October.
How to apply for free accommodation in San Giovanni in Galdo
In order to be eligible to apply, you’re not allowed to already live in the Molise region, nor have any relatives or property there. The project, promoted by the association "Amici del Morrutto" together with the municipal administration, states that everyone else can apply for a free stay of one week in the village by filling in an application form (in Italian), explaining why you want to visit the region. Up to five people can be part of one application, with the form also asking for proof of identity for each applicant. The village has already received hundreds of applications, so if you want to take advantage and be in with a chance of a free holiday in Italy this summer, then you’ll have to act quickly!
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