Italy’s entrance into the European Union has created short-term costs in Cagli, but local politicians expect long-term benefits.

Both Mayor Domenico Papi and Franco Clementi, a former administrator in the town, said they have personally felt the effects of EU membership, as well as observing the changes in Cagli.

“Everything costs double now,” said Clementi.

The entrance into the EU has changed the currency in Europe and has consequently changed many other financial aspects, including the general cost of things. Clementi said that he personally has felt the financial repercussions. He has a son at a local university, at which the costs have nearly doubled because of the rising expense created by the EU.

Papi also saw the personal financial effects of the EU. His relatives recently vacationed in Canada and returned to Italy saying that Italy is extremely expensive compared to other countries outside Europe.

The prices for food and other goods in Cagli increased greatly, affecting every Cagliese personally, said Clementi. “Here and now nothing has physically changed. Just financially.”

Clementi said that such problems were to be expected, because Italy is not as competitive as other countries such as Germany. But he expects economic inequalities within Europe to eventually level out.

Cagli officials said they are particularly concerned about the future of tourism. Cagli has sponsored a regional conference on how to better promote tourism. Long-term benefits should include increased travel and tourism, said Papi. The unified currency, the euro, is expected to make travel throughout European countries much easier.

Although benefits are expected in the future, Papi said that the rise in prices has created challenges for Italy’s tourism industry.

The increased costs in Italy have led many tourists to go elsewhere, hurting Italy’s image, Papi said. It is difficult for Italy to compete having an image of high costs and expensive vacations, compared with other countries that offer significantly less expensive travel.

Clementi said that many people realized they couldn’t afford things like holidays after prices increased.

Despite initial challenges created by the entrance into the EU, Italy had no choice but to participate, Clementi said.