Claudio Martini, governor of Tuscany, has requested a Rai International satellite channel to promote Italian tourism worldwide.

In a Nov. 18 letter to Rai president Claudio Petruccioli, Italian culture minister Francesco Rutelli and regional conference president Vasco Errani, Martini presented his proposal at the international convention on tourism of Confesercenti in Borgo la Bagnaia, Siena. "Over 180 million foreigners come to Italy every year, tourism accounts for 12 percent of the [gross domestic product]; regions should get together with institutions and make promotion more efficient," Petruccioli said. "I suggest setting up a workshop with government, regions and RAI to set up a specific satellite channel for tourism in Italy, especially [a] sustainable and high-quality one."