Agostino Ingenito, national president: “It is technically a low Easter and this causes uncertainty for tourist flows, conditioned by the reduced holiday period, price increases and weather forecasts, but our attention is directed above all to the spring period and to a different approach of travelers Compared to the post-pandemic and the extraordinary period of 2023, in fact, increases in prices, an increase in interest rates, inflation and destabilization and strong competition between territories weigh heavily, which could lead to a reduction in flows, which could be balanced by foreign tourism compared to internal.
THE SITUATION IN SALERNO
The offer in Salerno city is more balanced and could reach sold out, with the last second in the last few hours. Good there Amalfi Coast and the Sorrento Peninsula, who, in view of the ongoing tourist normalization, are using this period as a test for the season. In fact, at the moment there is no indication of being fully booked, although there is no shortage of interested peaks in room occupancy Amalfi, Positano, Ravelloamong the most popular among foreign guests and Sorrento for the Sorrento area.
For these territories as for the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida, more excursion trips will weigh heavily, subject to weather conditions. The internal areas are affected by the decline in the flow of Italian travellers, but room occupancy in Sannio and Irpinia is reported to be around 60%, with bookings for farm holidays and out-of-town excursions being much more significant.
THE SITUATION IN NAPLES
Naples will be able to reach almost sold out in accommodation facilities this Easter weekend, as evidenced by the bookings that are arriving at the last second in accommodation facilities. Many travellers, mostly Italian and European, more Spanish and French, who preferred the regional capital to spend at least two nights visiting the city. There is a desire for escape and light-heartedness regarding the ongoing problems, and there are many Italians who will flock to Naples and the surrounding areas including the Vesuvian area and Campi Flegrei where there is no lack of mistrust due to the ongoing bradyseism phenomenon.
The increases in air and rail fares as well as the impact of inflation on some products and services are leading to more prudent choices among Italian travelers with reduced spending capacity. Price increases and inflation less perceived by foreign travellers. You will spend on average from 70 to 130 euros for a room but there is no shortage of speculative offers with even increased prices.
“There is no doubt about the exceptional appeal of our region, which still suffers from a gap compared to the flows of some northern regions, such as Veneto, Lombardy, Tuscany, Trentino and Liguria, however the important railway and air hub is allowing us to extend the accommodation capacity and tourist flows – declares Agostino Ingenito – This is why we hope that beyond commercials in Italian, which are useful but not effective for the internal market, we will work on a broader operational strategy for inbound tourism.
We need better strategic planning, competitive reception services, better organization of local authorities on decorum, safety and anti-illegal control, and infrastructures capable of providing certainty of connections that are often not inclined to satisfy tourist demand. The difficulties on the historic Pompei Salerno railway line are weighing heavily at the moment with the blockade between Nocera Inferiore and Salerno, the poor connections from Naples and Salerno with the internal areas, as well as the management of mobility during holiday periods which are too dependent on trade union agreements which do not allow for more long-term planning.”
