There are 15.1 million Italians traveling with schools closed and, of these, 8.7 million are families who will take their children or grandchildren on holiday .
So according to data from Federalberghi with Tecnè , which underline how tourism confirms itself as an exceptional driver for the local economy .
The turnover is 10 billion euros , and of this amount more than half (5.3 billion euros) is attributable to holidays with minors in tow.
The majority of travellers' spending will be allocated to meals (25.5%) and travel (23.9%). Accommodation absorbs 21.9% of the budget, while 14.4% will be allocated to shopping. 90.1% of those interviewed will remain in Italy, while 8.2% will choose a foreign location.
The favorite destination for travelers who will remain in Italy will by far be the seaside of the peninsula or Sardinia and Sicily (57.3%), followed by the mountains (10.8%), art locations (10.7% ), from the sea in the smaller islands (10.3%) and from the lakes (3%).
For those who will go abroad, the large European capitals win (53%), followed by cruise travel (25.3%) and seaside resorts (14%).
The holiday will have an average duration of 15 days (27 for those traveling with minors) and the average per capita expense incurred (including transport, accommodation, food and entertainment) will be equal to 659 euros (609 euros if traveling with minors) .
The home of relatives and friends is the first choice for staying overnight among those going on holiday (33.2%) . 19.3% will go to a hotel, 16.4% to their own home and 7.2% to a B&B. For those who go to facilities with the need to book their stay, 40.8% will do so by contacting the facility directly, also via its website. During these days, the main activities will be characterized by sociality. In fact, if first of all you will go for walks (68.4%), there will be no lack of time for evenings with friends (46.1%), for lunches or dinners at restaurants (45.0%) and for an aperitif or a drink with friends (33.6%). 62.9% of holidaymakers will use their own car to go to their holiday destination. 21.6% will travel by plane and 4.2% by train. Convenience prevailed in the choice of vehicle (60.8%). Among those who will not go on holiday, 48.6% revealed that they are not going for economic reasons ; 23.1% for family reasons and another 23.0% for health reasons.
«The ringing of the bell - says the president of Federalberghi, Bernabò Bocca - indirectly represented a test for the sector: it tells us that the closure of schools is an assist for planning a holiday, it confirms that the favorite destination of our fellow citizens remains Italy in 90% of cases, it reveals to us that there is a change of course and that the month of June can represent a useful and sustainable option, mainly for Italian families".
A few days ago the Florence Tourist Study Center for Assoturismo Confesercenti had calculated 15 million tourist arrivals (7 million Italians and 8 million foreigners) in Italian accommodation facilities, up by +2.2% compared to the same month of 2023, for a total of 54 million overnight stays (+1.8%).
Assoutenti raises the high price alarm: the latest Istat data on inflation have recorded an upward trend for all rates linked to the holiday sector: holiday packages have increased in price by +20.4% on year, hotels by +7, 8%, b&bs, holiday homes and other accommodation facilities by +8.1%, train tickets by +8.1% on the year, buses and coaches by +4%.
(Unioneonline/vl)
