Autorégulation versus intervention gouvernementale. L’Association italienne des hôteliers et le marché de l’hospitalité (1899-1939)

This paper examines the different kinds of interventions aimed at regulating the economic life adopted by the Italian Hoteliers’ Association and their evolution over time, due to the changes occurred within the hotel sector (or in the structure of the hoteliers’ association itself), as well as in the economic and political sphere (for example during the First World War, or the fascist period). Since its origins, in 1899, the Association was engaged to define and enforce rules and standards concerning various aspects of the hotel business, ranging from labour market regulation to prices’ publicity and fixing attempts, etc. This phase was characterised by the general absence of state intervention in the tourist sector, and so self-regulation attempts prevailed. However, not all the Association’s efforts were successful. This situation gradually evolved during the interwar-years, especially during the fascist dictatorship, which was characterized by the progressive growth of State intervention in all economic sectors, including tourism and the hotel industry. However, the Association was not completely excluded from the regulatory process; in fact on several occasions hoteliers contributed to address government policy on the hospitality industry.