War, high energy and inflation are keeping Italian holidays in check. For Easter only 8 million Italians say they intend to leave and half have already confirmed the holiday. By extending the time horizon to summer, here is the alarm bell: 8 out of 10 plan not to leave or will cut the length of holidays or the budget. This is what emerges from the March Confturismo-Confcommercio Observatory on the Swg Radar data. The eight million potential tourists are a fraction of the more than 21 million travelers of Easter 2019 which recorded a turnover of approximately 8.2 billion. Today the climate is very different and caution prevails. Italians show that they have already pulled the handbrake on expenses, especially for the culture sector and the tourism supply chain, which are still suffering the consequences of the pandemic, highlights the Observatory.
“Italian families have already drastically reduced consumption for tourism and culture due to the pandemic – explains Carlo Sangalli, president of Confcommercio -. And tourism and culture will be most affected by the effects of the conflict in Ukraine and the high energy prices. We need a trust operation for businesses through the increase of emergency funds and the extension of banking and tax moratoriums. But it must be done immediately because the entrepreneurial system cannot withstand a continuous crisis situation ».
Expensive energy and war have changed the spending habits of almost two thirds of Italians and for Easter the trips will be short and of short duration for half of the tourists. In short, breaks dictated by the need to “relax with the family” or to visit a village. The second home is back in vogue and will be chosen by half of the vacationers against 40% in 2019. The reduced budget, around 200 euros per person, with only one overnight stay. Collapse of travel abroad, a small luxury that will be granted only 6% against 13% in 2019.
In this scenario, tourism operators are preparing for the International Tourism Exchange (Bit) which will take place in attendance from 10 to 12 April in the spaces of Fieramilanocity. 900 exhibitors are expected, of which 110 from abroad, while buyers from 47 countries are expected.
Massimo Garavaglia, Minister of Tourism, on the sidelines of the presentation of the Bit reminds us that «we have absolutely no need for mass tourism. Italy is Italy and as soon as all restrictions are removed we will find ourselves in over tourism. The goal together with all the operators is to better manage the flows throughout the territory and throughout the year. There are good prospects and encouraging signs. In this moment of restart our numbers are better than those of other countries ». Off-seasonization and quality tourism are two key points together with far-sighted development policies with a horizon of 2030 and 2040. For now, a digital hub will be online in May that will integrate the offer of operators while Enit will have a new logo.