Violations of these new rules can result in fines ranging from €5,000 to €10 million, with enforcement overseen by the Italian Competition Authority.

Travelers can expect more trustworthy reviews, making it easier to make informed decisions about where to stay and dine, thereby improving their overall experience in Italy.

The law also prohibits the sale of reviews and mandates that all reviews must be detailed and relevant.

Businesses will have the right to request the removal of outdated or misleading reviews that are over two years old or inaccurate due to facility upgrades.

Establishments can respond to comments and request the removal of false or outdated reviews, which helps maintain the integrity of feedback.

Major review platforms like TripAdvisor and Google will face increased accountability for verifying the authenticity of reviews and removing fake ones.

Fake reviews can be malicious, originating from competitors or disgruntled individuals, or mistaken, coming from customers who have not visited the business.

These measures aim to enhance the reliability of online reviews, benefiting both tourists and businesses in Italy's competitive tourism sector.

Italy's approach to regulating online reviews could serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges in the tourism industry.

Italy's tourism minister, Daniela Santanché, has announced new legislation aimed at combating the rising issue of fake online reviews that threaten business reputations and consumer trust.

The new regulations will require proof of visit from reviewers, such as receipts or booking confirmations, and will ban incentivized reviews, where businesses offer rewards for positive feedback.

Reviewers must submit their reviews within 15 days of their experience and identify themselves through traceable means to ensure authenticity.