Tips can also be paid by Pos but only 1% of merchants activate it

More than two years after the introduction of the facilitated taxation of tips received by staff in the tourism, hotel and catering industry, cash payment remains the main mode of payment, since electronic payment of the 'reward' for those who have taken care of the service is almost impossible. At only one Pos in a hundred is the 'tip' functionality activated, a mode that allows the amount of the tip to be added to the transaction. This does not seem to be a technological problem because 83% of the terminals are already enabled. But only in rare cases has the operator taken the last step, that of activation, which allows the 'extras' to be reported at the end of the day as an item of the takings.

The figures were illustrated by Abi during the round table convened by the Ministry of Tourism to take stock of the application of the regulation, which was attended not only by the Italian Banking Association, but also by the Revenue Agency, Apsp (Italian Association of Payment Service Providers) and the main trade associations. Minister Santanchè urged the associations to take action with internal communication campaigns to stimulate the dissemination and application of the regulation, which is considered an important measure for tourism workers by favouring an increase in their earnings.

The ABI survey of traders in the tourist-hotel sector shows that 83% of the Pos devices already enabled can be activated without requiring replacement or updates, thus in full autonomy on the part of the restaurateur or hotelier. But even for the remaining 17% of devices not yet enabled, a software update is sufficient, which a technician can do remotely.

How do you explain such a low activation rate despite the fact that it is a mode that could benefit workers? "We have already carried out an information campaign with Nexi (the company that manages 1.4 million POS terminals, ndr) aimed at our businesses and organised webinars, but it is clear that the information has not reached everywhere - explains Luciano Sbraga, deputy general manager of Fipe and director of the studies centre of the Federation of Public Establishments - This is a change of model that, like all novelties, needs time to be acquired. We will shortly be launching a new information campaign. But everyone's work is needed and we hope for joint action with the banking system and payment service providers'.

Despite the minimal number of activated Pos, tipped transactions grew by 41% during 2024, according to SumUp surveys, which show that merchants and restaurateurs using this feature increased by 24% between 2022 and 2024. The average amount grew by 7%. Last year, the increase in digital tipped transactions was 50% in restaurants and 37% in bars.