The island’s regional government has ring-fenced €75 million for tourism as part of a new three-year "stability" budget worth in excess of €60 billion.

Vice-president of the region, Gaetano Armao, said the money would fund promotional vouchers and cards to offer tourists greater value.

Announced at the weekend, the measures follow clarification from Italy’s culture and tourism minister Dario Franceschini that the country’s borders would not be shut to tourists this year.

The Guardian, citing Sicily’s tourism director Manlio Messina, reports the island’s measures could include subsidising accommodation costs; offering an additional "free" night per three days stayed; and providing vouchers for cultural and heritage activities.

Italy has begun reopening some businesses and attractions in recent days, with further efforts to restart the economy set to be rolled out over the coming weeks and months as the country emerges from two months under strict coronavirus lockdown.

Franceschini, however, sounded a note of caution, telling Italy’s Il Messaggero newspaper he expected a "sharp drop" in international tourism to Italy.