As of 2018, there were approximately 63 million tourists in Italy per year, making Italy the fifth most visited country in the world. Tourism is one of Italy's fastest-growing and most profitable industries, bringing in an estimated revenue of around $190 billion.
The Italians embrace the foreigners, as it boosts their economy and stimulates local businesses. It is also an honor to have so many people appreciate the rich culture, cuisine, history, fashion and art, beautiful beaches and coastlines, and priceless architecture.
The Colosseum, Rome
Image Courtesy of Mason Pohlman, from Unsplash
The Pantheon, Rome
Image Courtesy of Red Morley Hewitt, from Unsplash
La Fontana di Trevi, Rome
Image Courtesy of theculturetrip
Duomo di Milano, Milan
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The City of Venice
Image Courtesy of Adrien Krajcar, from Unsplash
The Amalfi Coast
Image Courtesy of Jan Tielens, from Unsplash
Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence
Image Courtesy of Ilya Orehov, from Unsplash
The entire world is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, but for Italy, a country dependent on the tourism industry for nearly 13% of its total GDP, this nightmare could cause lasting economic damage. Hotels are closed, restaurants are operating at low capacity, famous monuments are not receiving the flocks of tourists, and overall, people are just not visiting Italy.
Before Covid-19, six million US travelers visit Italy every year
90% of hotels remain closed in Rome, an economic loss of ~ $115 mil per month
Revenue shortfall predicted to top 3 billion euros
20-30,000 people in the hotel/accommodation sector will not be rehired
Before Covid-19, six million US travelers visited Italy every year
Italians work extremely hard during the year, so the summer is the one time when they can drop everything, take a break, and go on holiday to enjoy themselves. August is the busiest vacation month, and many people take beach vacations, where they can sunbathe, lie in the sand, and relax in the warm water.
To satisfy these wants, these are the "ideal" vacation spots Italians choose: ๐๐ฝ โฑ๏ธ
Italy: the Amalfi Coast, Liguria, Calabria, Puglia, Tuscany
International: the Maldives, Greece, the Caribbean, or Southeast Asia
For a more "artsy," touring trip, Italians choose: ๐ถ๐พ ๐ฟ
Italy: Rome, Milan, Florence, Siena, Palermo, Venice, Bologna
International: Spain, Portugal, France, USA
Il giorno festivo - holiday
Il periodo di riposo - break/time off
La vacanza lampo - quick vacation
L'alta/bassa stagione - high/low season
La localitร di villeggiatura - holiday/vacation spot
Il pacchetto vacanza - vacation package
Scendere in spiaggia - to head down to the beach
Andare a sciare - to go skiing
Trascorrere le ferie a - to spend vacation at
La meta - destination
La vacanza balneare - beach vacation
Organizzarsi in anticipo - to organize oneself/plan ahead