Prolonged heat waves, the flood accident in Emilia Romagna, meteorological uncertainty, airfares and inflation have not caused the Italian summer to boom. The difficult years of Covid are behind us but the Belpaese has been avoided by compatriots for almost 6%: a figure absolutely not foreseen by operators. The summer months have actually been bothering you by many elements, economic and environmental. Who knows what the Minister of Tourism will say Daniela Santanche, when he will have the data of his ministry.
Victor Messina, president of Assoturismo, has, however, already expressed himself: “Summer tourism has held up, but we are certainly below initial expectations. Several factors have influenced this situation, including inflation, which has made it difficult for companies to keep prices stable and has dented tourists' spending power." The analysis on which Messina's reflections are based is from the Center for Tourist Studies of Florence and yes is superimposed on that of Coldiretti. 9,8 million ItaliansI have planned holidays in September, to take advantage of cheaper rates. However, the average length of relaxation days between July and August was reduced to 9 days.
Business and an eye to the future
Shopping ? It went down with an average – 2% for a total of approx 582 euros a family. Climatic phenomena had an impact, as Italy had alternating phases between high temperatures and storms. The fires that are increasingly scary will not have been any less likely to shorten the days away from home. From an environmental and climate risk point of view, our fellow citizens must have had some concerns. The sea was there favorite destination, "even if tourism in the mountains has grown and in particular the rediscovery of small villages and smaller towns in the Italian countryside" explains Coldiretti.
For Assoturismo, the beginning of 2023 had aroused great hopes, except for the sharp slowdown with a clear decline in the presence of Italians. The phenomenon affects all Regions. Foreigners increased by 3,6% and on the positive side there are markets that have shown moderate growth towards Italy: French, Dutch, US and Polish. Attention is already turned to the future. While the structures are being dismantled, we are starting to think about how to push Italians to stay at home when they want to unplug. The tourist system is worth the 5% of GDP and it also looks at the PNRR which must "address historical problems such as strengthening infrastructure and the fight against climate change" underlines Assoturismo. Ancient problems that far surpass the controversies over concessions for bathing beaches or promotions with the Venus influencer. It takes much more to not escape from the Bel Paese in the summer.
