There are places that get crowded without clamor. Traditional tour operators compete for the market with the web, because millions of people by the sea, in the mountains and by the lake prefer the places where you can be reconciled with faith. They find facilities, hospitality and a favorable climate for a few days of vacation. Around convents, churches and places of worship there is a turnover that places Italy among the first places in the world. Covid has hit here too, but in the first part of 2021 the influx grew by almost 30%. For many Italians, holidaying at home has meant staying away from crowded places to retire to pleasant and silent places, of which the country is full. On the other hand, religious or secular organizations have been networking for many years to meet varied tourist needs, without neglecting environmental aspects. In Assisi, say, the wood of San Francesco, much visited next to the Basilica, is managed by the FAI. Many initiatives are now organized in agreements with local authorities, if only for the attention due to tourists of all ages.
The Religious Hospitality Association at the end of the summer he asked more than three thousand managers of religious and non-profit houses for an initial assessment and decided to disseminate the data. The comment on the numbers is by Fabio Rocchi, president of the Association: "A first comparison was made with the summer of 2020 and the attendances in religious hospitality mark an average of + 29%. Among managers, 86% recorded an increase, while 14% still complain of a decline this year as well”.
The managers take 2019 as a reference, a year considered normal for a country that offers visitors millenary cultures and traditions. Compared to the last pre-Covid year, two out of three managers declared fewer attendances during the summer, while the rest are satisfied with a heartening increase.
Summer is coming to an end, but religious places attract visitors throughout the year, due to specific ceremonies and celebrations. And in the meantime there are those who live among the managers 2021 as the right year to review some organizational aspects, an opportunity to keep the system competitive in the holiday industry.
“Even considering the tare of the health emergency, most operators believe the performance of the 2021 summer season is acceptable if not very good or excellent. However, there are those who express an insufficient (22%) or even disappointing (5%) evaluation”, concludes Rocchi. But it's only early September.
