Although Tanning Tech recorded a slight fall in visitor numbers, organisers said that this is not as a result of less interest in the trade show but due, in part at least, to the increased bureaucracy involved in obtaining a visa for visitors coming to Italy from developing countries. The organisers stated that due to the ‘several million illegal immigrants’ in Italy restrictions have been implemented which have created barriers for some economic and commercial operators wishing to enter the country. Those who invite them must also become guarantors of their guests’ future and Tanning Tech experienced this first hand, particularly (but not only) when it invited numerous delegations from developing countries.”

The statement added that the West continues to maintain its niche in quality production in the leather-footwear-leather goods sector while bulk quantities are made in the Far East: China and so-called satellite” manufacturing countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia. However, for the western companies represented at Tanning Tech which need to be able to deal freely with developing countries, barriers, such as those now being imposed on those seeking visas, is becoming a major concern.