The Italian Supreme Court, the highest court in the country, has ruled that hotels have the right to refuse to provide tap water to their guests. This ruling came after a lawsuit was filed by a tourist against a five-star hotel in a ski resort in the Dolomites, where she was staying during the New Year's holiday of 2020.
The tourist, whose name has not been disclosed, filed a complaint against the 'Sassongher' hotel after it refused to supply her with tap water during meals, instead offering her bottled water at a price of seven euros ($8.15) per bottle. She sought damages exceeding 2,700 euros.
Details of the Case
The ruling issued in late April was only published in local media this week. The Supreme Court confirmed that Italian law does not require bars or restaurants to provide tap water to customers, supporting findings from two lower courts earlier.
The tourist claims that water, under 'constitutional and national sources', is considered a natural commodity and a universal human right, and that a minimum necessary provision to meet basic needs should be guaranteed free of charge. However, the hotel did not comment on the ruling, and the tourist's lawyer did not respond to requests for comment.
Background & Context
There is no unified European law mandating all EU member states to provide tap water free of charge upon request. EU directives on drinking water encourage restaurants to offer it, but do not impose a general obligation. This ruling highlights the gap between consumer rights and what commercial establishments provide.
In recent years, many European countries have witnessed debates over consumer rights, especially amid rising living costs. This ruling may raise questions about how hotels and restaurants address the needs of guests, particularly in challenging economic conditions.
Impact & Consequences
This ruling could affect how services are provided in hotels and restaurants in Italy, where hotels may be encouraged to charge extra fees for services traditionally considered free. It may also increase pressure on local authorities to introduce legislation that protects consumer rights.
The public is expected to react to this ruling, as many guests consider tap water an essential part of their stay experience. This could negatively impact the reputation of hotels that refuse to provide this service.
Regional Significance
In the Arab region, this ruling may influence how hotels interact with guests, especially in countries that rely on tourism as a primary source of revenue. This ruling could spark discussions about consumer rights in tourism and how to improve services offered to guests.
This ruling could also impact tourism in Italy, as some guests may hesitate to choose hotels that do not offer free tap water, potentially affecting the revenues of these hotels.
In conclusion, this ruling reflects the challenges facing consumer rights in tourism and raises questions about how to enhance the services provided to guests in hotels.