2024-08-15 04:09:11
Six and a half million Italians could not go on vacation, not even during the week of August 15th. According to a survey by a consumer association, 3,700,000 citizens have decided not to leave their permanent place of residence due to financial problems, as reported by Deutsche Welle correspondent Theodoros Andreadis-Syngellakis.
Because, compared to last year, seven days of holidays at sea cost up to 10% more. Despite various initiatives to contain prices with package deals, Italian hotels this year increased by 17%.
A trend, which is also evident in all the major cities and regions of the country. Rome these days is full of foreign tourists who find it beautiful and even more impressive, even if many cafes and shops are closed. The first figures of this year’s tourist season, as written by the economic newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, show that compared to 2023, the sector is showing a decline. Italians spend less money, are more hesitant because of rising prices and problematic wages. It is clear that they continue to lose purchasing power.
Big reduction in overnight stays in Naples and Sicily
In Naples, for example, hoteliers and restaurateurs confirm that since the beginning of August overnight stays by Italian tourists have dropped by at least 20%. The problem, to a certain extent, is solved thanks to the presence of foreigners, who now visit the big city of the Italian South not only in the summer, but also throughout the rest of the year. The same is true and in Sicily, in beautiful resorts such as Taormina, Giardini Naxos and Sikouliana. In this case, the problem of water scarcity also played a negative role, which continues to affect Italy’s largest island.
Anyway, tonight there will be small and big celebrations in all the coastal areas, in anticipation of tomorrow’s big day. Italian young people – of course also those who could not go to famous resorts – will spend the night on the beaches with a guitar, beers and above all large, enthusiastic groups. With the awareness, as always, that from tomorrow autumn will begin to emerge timidly again from the horizon.
Source: Deutsche Welle