RAGALNA (CATANIA) (ITALPRESS) – The numbers of tourism in Italy and Sicily, the importance for the economy, the growth of the territories, the tourists changing. These were some of the points deepened during the interview of the Director of the Italpress Agency, Gaspare Borsellino, to the Minister of Tourism Gianmarco Mazzi, during the fourth day of Etna Forum in Ragalna. Mazzi reiterated the importance of the sector for the Italian Gross Domestic Product but also for international implications. “Tourism is an industry. Industry not in a technical sense – the minister said – but it is industry because it has a very strong weight on the pil; it weighs for 13%. With all the induced it is thought to reach 25%. A quarter of the Gross Domestic Product. We have to make it clear in Europe. Tourism cannot be considered as a sum of activity. It must be considered as an industrial platform.” Words that recalled economic aspects but not only. It is necessary to plan and look to the future considering changes. “The resource is not tourism – Mazzi continued –. The real resource is the tourist who has changed over the last twenty years. Today the tourist is technological, he leaves already knowing where he wants to go, he has all the applications. The most technological are those who are fond of cycling, ecotourism. This obliges us to change our approach. The tourist has two values: the money he brings and the experience we will be able to deliver.” “He will become an Italian ambassador.” More than twofold importance, therefore, which is amplified by memories and wording, beyond borders. As it happened for the ashes of Etna, which stopped flights from the airport. One aspect on which Mazzi indicated the route. “The tourists come to Sicily thanks to Etna – he continued – . What happened, with the eruption, should not surprise us. Everything must be managed not as an emergency. We think of a directing booth between Civil Protection, Sac, Region and Tourism Associations. Joining everyone, teaming up, we can carry out procedures that, at the first ash, can be implemented. Tourists not only want to see the postcard but to attend the territory, live the experience that the inhabitants live. It is necessary to inform for time, to give security and to have the ability to narrate the emergency as an attractor.” Despite everything, however, tourism continues to confirm itself as a growing sector. To confirm the data. “They are exceptional – the minister highlighted –. If there had not been the Etna emergency situation, Catania would have been better. In August the saturation, filling rate, the indicator on the largest international platforms in Sicily was 68%. The average is 52%.” (ITALPRESS).
Photo: xn5
