ROMA (ITALPRESS) – “It needs a European tourism fund”. Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè in an interview in La Stampa indicates without hesitation the priority for an area that, after passing the pandemic and other global shocks, is now dealing with the international crisis between Iran and the Middle East: “We cannot say that everything is okay. But we must be honest because there are lights and shadows. War does not like anyone and we all hope for peace. Tourism has always been a bridge between peoples and will continue to be. The impact on the market will depend a lot on the duration of the conflict: today making catastrophic scenarios would be a mistake. The government works for descalation.”.
“I met tour operators and travel agencies who are the most fragile link in the chain. But we don’t have to be afraid. In tourism, perceived is fundamental. No one can predict what Trump will do, but this is a resilient industry. In full Covid we were afraid that the damage would last over time, instead, we are always above the numbers of 2019. However, Europe cannot remain immobile,” the Minister continued.
“The impact of the war on tourism is not only an Italian problem. It concerns Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Spain, France. In Europe tourism is worth about 10% of GDP and employs millions of people, yet it does not have a dedicated budget. With that you could create an emergency fund available to everyone. Just to react to the unexpected crisis.” A budget that is not “because maybe someone didn’t think it was useful, but today Italy is leader in this European battle. Next week we will have a technical meeting in Brussels: account on the support of several nations. On the other hand, if Europe wants to have a weight it must have clear vision: it must not close, but open. And tourism is crucial.”.
The Santanchè ministra on what the government can do, says: “In the meantime, I want to get out of the emergency logic. The numbers, for now, are good. The tourist industry, however, needs structural assistance: they are those that guarantee the greatest resilience”. “We have invested in the rest areas for campers: an operation that mainly serves to attract tourists from Northern Europe. We worked on the walks and cycle paths. We tried to listen to the demands that come from the main markets in order to be more attractive.”.
On the fear that everything can now collapse, he says: “In the meantime, Italy is perceived as a safe destination. Which is why we have grown a lot in recent years thanks to the foreign component. It is possible that this year falls, but the data could be partially balanced by domestic demand. There are many Italians who do not know their country and hope they want to discover it soon.” But is it enough to balance the foreign decline? “No, but we are working on several markets that, from the outside, are perceived as marginal, but that instead grow a lot. We have India, where interest in Italy continues to increase, there is Brazil and there is also so much Europe. From Poland to Germany.”.
On the signs for Easter, he reveals: “The forecasts are positive: we estimate about 11 million Italians on the way, with a strong attention to the small villages, especially the North and the Center. Even the South holds, Sicily for example waits about 500 thousand airport arrivals”. On possible support measures for the sector, the Tourism Minister recalls that “We have already adopted some interventions, such as the cut of excise duties on fuels that could also mitigate expensive air tickets. We are also thinking about tools such as vouchers, to support tourist businesses and avoid negative effects on flows.”.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
