Un sold-out summer. Marina Lalli, president of Federturismo Confindustria, has a “very positive” opinion on the tourist season, but now the high cost of energy is weighing on businesses: a problem that cannot wait for political times. “From Easter onwards, everyone has started traveling again.
The data on bookings and room occupancy are very good. The good news is that many foreigners have returned, especially Americans, who represent a high-spending segment, and they have not made us regret the absence of Asians and Russians". Thus, the cities of art and top destinations have filled up, from Capri in Portofino, who were able to update prices based on inflation.
Other summer destinations have instead had to deal with rising costs, especially energy. - "Suddenly the bill - Lalli points out - was 5-7 times higher than what we were used to seeing. Operators do not have the possibility of intervening immediately on prices if they have an Italian clientele who in turn has to deal with inflation. An Italian tourist cannot bear the doubling of the cost of a hotel.
So for businesses, margins have almost or completely disappeared. And this is not something we can think of living with in the coming months”. The sector's prospects – continues Lalli – are therefore necessarily linked to energy costs. “We started with the big problem of the lack of seasonal workers. Now we have to face a more serious issue. Many facilities that are open all year round are thinking of closing in the fall.
If the margin gets so thin and slips into the negative, there is no point in staying open. This way we give up that offer that we have tried to revive for two long years”. The situation worsens while all the political forces “promise but no one decides”. But while waiting for a new government to be formed – concludes Lalli – businesses risk closing.
Article published on 25 August 2022 - 21:01
