Nothing quite ruins holiday plans like the rain. Tourists around the world fear impending showers no matter where they go. But it seems like the rain might actually come with some benefits if you’re visiting this Italian island. The island of Elba in Italy lies just off the coast of Tuscany. It guarantees guests that they will get a refund on one night of their stay; if it rains for more than 2 hours a day. Further, if it rains continuously, every day, for more than 2 hours during their visit, their entire stay will be complimentary, reports The New York Times.
Titled the Elba No Rain programme, it was created to prevent weather-related vacation problems for tourists. The island of Elba is most famously known to be the location where Napoleon was in exile for 10 years. It is also the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago. Several other hotels on the island had already begun this initiative prior to the official announcement of the Elba No Rain programme.
How the Initiative Started on the island of Elba
The offer lasts only till May 31st; and to be eligible for the deal, all guests must be staying at an approved list of inns and guest houses that are a part of the programme. Claudio Della Lucia, the tourism coordinator for the island of Elba, spoke about the impact of the weather troubles on tourism; and why they came up with this scheme.
Also Read: Tourists in Capri will soon be fined €500 for using single-use plastics
She said, “Tour operators tell us that weather forecasts of a rainy weekend can lead to a drop in bookings and attendance of over 20%”. Adding to this, she said, “The #ElbaNoRain initiative wants to be a concrete assurance to guests that, in the very rare case of a day with steady rain; they can still enjoy everything that the island has to offer without paying a euro for accommodation. It’s a pilot project for the month of May, but considering the numerous subscriptions, we’re considering to apply it also for the autumn”.
The island is most renowned for its picturesque beaches and its ancient ruins. Tourists usually reach the island via ferry from the coastal town of Piombino. Alternative travel options include an island airport that can take in small planes from Milan; Florence; Pisa and other Italian cities.
