Omicron weighs on agritourism, over 40% canceled
Hotels, but not only. The receptivity of the agricultural world already accounts for over 40% of cancellations between Christmas and Epiphany, a loss, on average, of about 25 thousand euros in 10 days and a peak New Year to be recovered, perhaps, by focusing on home delivery. Under the Omicron wave, this is the picture of the situation drawn by Cia-Italian Farmers that together with Turismo Verde, its agritourism association, now fears a distant and increasingly uphill restart.
With the resumption of infections in Europe, less one million overnight stays in the season
«After a positive summer and autumn, winter – recalled the president of Assoturismo Confesercenti Vittorio Messina – unfortunately led to a clear reversal of the trend. The resumption of infections in Europe, especially in the traditionally strong markets of Italy, had a very heavy impact on foreign demand, canceling about one million overnight stays in the season. And the shadow of the restrictions is also reducing Italian demand to a minimum. “Overall, Confesercenti estimates that without an immediate extension of the Covid social safety nets, from 1 January at least 200 thousand workers in the tourism and catering sector will be without coverage. «Particularly affected – it is explained in a note – the travel agencies sector, with 95% of companies with employees on layoffs, and the hotel sector, especially in the cities of art. And the prospects for returning to work are more uncertain every day ».
Lost revenues of over ten billion euros
“The fear of Covid, accentuated by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant – explained Raffaele Rio di Demoskopika – it has a significant impact on tourism spending with an estimate of lost revenues for the sector of over 10 billion euros. In this direction, our appeal addressed, on several occasions, to Draghi and Garavaglia to program a strategic plan should not be forgotten ».
The holidays of 10 million Italians are at risk
With the advance of infections, the holidays of 10 million Italians are at risk, for a cost of 4.1 billion only for domestic tourists, of which almost 1/3 is destined for food, including souvenirs and lunches and dinners in restaurants and farmhouses. This is what the Coldiretti on the effects of growing concerns over the effects of the Omicron variant which has led in many cases to cancellations. Paying the highest price are establishments engaged in accommodation, food, transportation, entertainment, shopping and souvenirs with cancellation of many events related to Christmas and New Year in the tourist resorts, starting with the traditional celebrations in the square. According to Coldiretti, in the mountains, however, the effects are felt on the entire induced holiday, from the activity of the refuges to the mountain huts to the farms with breeding and cultivation activities committed to guaranteeing food supplies.
The crisis of organized tourism
The situation is also disastrous as regards the organized tourism sector: Aidit, Astoi, Assoviaggi, Fiavet, Fto and Maavi they turned to Prime Minister Mario Draghi to ask for urgent interventions. «In 2019 our sector – they emphasized – generated a turnover of about 13.3 billion euros. In 2020 it recorded a loss of approximately 70% of turnover, while it is estimated that the end of the current year will lead to a loss of over 80% of turnover. In the absence of urgent economic and financial interventions, it is estimated that more than 50% of active businesses will be closed and more than 40,000 jobs will be lost ”.