The countdown to Christmas and New Year’s Eve has begun and tourism operators draw up the first forecasts. In the belief that it will not be the usual Christmas, but neither will it be that of the lockdown and fear. Rather, it will be the Christmas of the Green pass. Italians, strengthened by vaccinations and from masks and safety measures, they are preparing to face the second end of the year of the Covid pandemic.
At Christmas 14 million on the road, down New Year’s departures
A premise is a must: the numbers for 2019 are still far away. According to the traditional Federalberghi research, presented in Rome on Monday 13 December in the presence of Minister Massimo Garavaglia, there will be over 14 million tourists (-19.9% on 2019) who will grant themselves an end-of-year holiday: in particular 10 million 454 thousand they will move on Christmas days (94.6% will remain within the borders) while departures for New Year’s Eve will decrease by 48.2%: 4 million 400 thousand, with 97.0% remaining in Italy.
97% Italians remain within the borders, mountains at the top
Of the over 14 million, 94.6% will stay in Italy for the Christmas holidays against 5.4% who will choose abroad. Similar trend for New Year’s Eve with 97% of Italians who will remain within national borders, while 3% will opt for abroad. Furthermore, in both periods around 70% will remain within their region of residence.
At Christmas, the ranking of favorite Italian destinations sees the mountains at the top (25.9% of cases), followed by cities other than that of residence (25.4%), cities of art (20%) and the sea ( 14%). For the last of the year, however, Italians will head above all to cities other than their own (44.1%), mountain resorts (23.1%) and places of art (17.4%).
Those who go abroad will head above all to the great European capitals (83.3%) and European amusement parks (16.7%). For the choice of accommodation, priority will be given to the home of relatives or friends (over 40%), while 27% will opt for the comfort of hotel hospitality.