TAR suspends call for new tour guides: merit hearing set for October

In a ruling issued on May 15, the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio granted the precautionary petition filed byANGT, theNational Association of Tourist Guides, regarding the call for new guide qualification. The decision marks a significant step in the long regulatory and judicial case pitting the Ministry of Tourism and the trade association against each other. The TAR set the hearing on the merits for October 14, 2025, and ordered that, in the meantime, the Ministry refrain from any initiative that could compromise the ANGT’s claims, including the possible qualification of new guides on the basis of the contested notice. The precautionary measure represents a significant outcome for the ANGT, which has matured as a result of litigation rooted in a critical and unresolved confrontation with the Ministry.

The association says it has repeatedly reported to the office headed by Minister Daniela Santanchè and her staff several critical issues inherent in the current legislation, the implementing decree and, consequently, the public notice. According to ANGT reports, these observations have remained unanswered by the administration. The absence of concrete dialogue therefore led the association to turn to the law firm LexImpresa, which handled the case with attorneys Andrea Cimino and Anna Vanzo. The appeal to the TAR, which was upheld in the first instance, aims to raise questions of legitimacy and method in the process of reforming the profession of tour guide in Italy.

According to the position expressed by the ANGT, the crux of the issue lies in the quality of training and the adequacy of the figures that the reform intends to bring into the labor market. The association claims an ongoing commitment aimed at ensuring the entry into the profession of candidates with a solid preparation, consistent with the role, also constitutionally relevant, that tour guides play in the promotion and enhancement of the national artistic and cultural heritage. The ANGT affirms that it has been working for years with the aim of protecting the professionalism of tourist guides, emphasizing that the sector represents one of the most relevant economic sectors for Italy. With this in mind, the association believes that any change must take place while protecting skills and without giving in to logic that, in its view, debases the profession.

Among the most contested points is the Ministry’s reference to alleged European-based impositions. According to the ANGT, such references would often be instrumental and used as justification to evade confrontation and fail to incorporate the improvement proposals made during the technical tables. In particular, the association stresses the need to recognize the indispensable territorial link of the tourist guide profession, an element it considers fundamental and which, in its opinion, should be enhanced through greater involvement of the regions.

In the ANGT’s view, no national or supranational regulation prohibits such an approach, which, on the contrary, according to the association, would ensure more effective protection of cultural heritage and greater consistency between the specificities of territories and the skills of the guides working there. For this reason, the association calls for the reform process to actively involve regional administrations, recognizing their role in defining professional and training standards. In a statement signed by president Anna Bigai, the association expresses hope that the judicial attention will encourage more in-depth reflection by institutions, ahead of the Oct. 14 hearing. Pending the decision on the merits, the TAR order imposes a substantial stop on the Ministry of Tourism. Any possible initiative that could undermine the effectiveness of the ANGT appeal, including new ratings based on the contested notice, must be suspended.

TAR suspends call for new tour guides: merit hearing set for October

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