Towns and cities all over Italy are implementing these taxes. Hotels hate them. Some of the seaside towns near here have been protesting greatly.

Hotels can't really include these taxes in their prices, because it depends on the number of people and their ages, not just the room.

I don't mind the tax but think it ought to be a room tax so it can be just folded into the room price

one of the great things about booking hotels in Europe is that you pay the price of the room -- in the US you may get dinged for as much as 30% more for 'resort fees', city taxes, state taxes, fees for stupid things that come with the room anyway etc etc so that your 100$ room may end up costing 130$ or more at check out

adding these taxes is taking Italy in that same repulsive direction -- why not just tax per room and fold it into the room fee?

"why not just tax per room and fold it into the room fee?"

By demanding a separate receipt, the authorities are attempting to nail people who rent out accommodation and don't declare the income. That's the agenda behind this, not the paltry amount they will take in from the tax itself. Whether or not they will succeed remains to be seen. I guess agriturismi etc could simply ignore the tax altogether for most of their guests.