In a decision that feels plucked from a dystopian playbook, an Italian court has ruled that hotels can legally refuse to serve tap water to guests. The ruling, handed down by a tribunal in Rome, has ignited fierce debate about consumer rights, environmental sustainability, and the creeping commodification of basic necessities. The case centered on a tourist who demanded free tap water at a hotel in Florence, only to be directed to purchase bottled water.
The hotel argued that offering tap water would undermine its business model and that guests had no legal right to demand it. The court agreed, citing Italian hospitality laws that allow establishments to set their own service policies. But while the ruling may be lawful, it is morally and environmentally indefensible.
Italy is a country where access to clean tap water is virtually universal, and many municipalities even provide free public fountains. To force tourists to buy plastic bottles is not just a cash grab; it is a staggeringly shortsighted policy in an era of climate crisis. The decision highlights a broader tension between commercial freedom and public good.
Hotels, like any business, can choose what to offer. But when those choices encourage single-use plastic waste and exploit consumer vulnerability, society must ask: at what cost? The ruling may be legal.
But it is a black mark on Italian hospitality, a nation that prides itself on la dolce vita. Perhaps it is time for lawmakers to step in and codify the right to free water, not just for tourists but for everyone. Until then, travellers be warned: bring your own bottle, and be prepared to pay for the privilege of staying hydrated.
