Between bridges holidays and sports events, the tourism trend in Naples it is in a state of inexorable growth. The boom is unprecedented and the incoming numbers are so far significantly higher than last year.
Between April 24th and May 2nd (i.e. between the Liberation Bridge and the Labor Day Bridge), are expected in the city «over 400 thousand visitors», according to the observatory forecasts produced by Teresa Armato’s municipal tourism department. Almost half a million visitors. Figures so relevant as to require a broader reflection, which includes the discussion on major events and the implementation of services. On April 21st it will be time for the half marathon in the shadow of Vesuvius. And on May 12th it will be the turn of Tour of Italy. It is precisely the big events that bring more spending tourism to the city, especially foreigners, as also confirmed by Fiavet Campania. However, a balance must naturally be found between the tourist vocation – which has become the economic soul of Naples – and the livability of the metropolis for the citizens. Precisely for this reason, as invoked by the operators and proposed by the administration, reception must be improved with more effective infrastructure and transport services. This is one of the most important challenges concerning the immediate future of Partenope.
The data
But let’s start with the data. The influx of the next few days, between the last week of April and the first two days of May, will be higher than that recorded in the weekend between Good Friday and Easter Monday, when they arrived in Naples more or less 250 thousand holidaymakers. According to the numbers of the municipal tourism observatory, essentially, the holidaymakers will be doubled. «According to forecast estimates, around 400 thousand visitors should arrive on 24 April and 2 May – Armato argues – but we have learned that arrival forecasts are always exceeded in reality. Only on Easter Monday did they arrive in Naples from Rome 45 thousand people. Another fact to underline is the fact that the types of holidaymakers are changing compared to 2023. This year we are experiencing a higher number of tourists from abroad: from Spain and England, but also from the USA and Brazil. The policies carried out by Gesac at the Capodichino airport are also having an impact on the increase in flows from the United States”. From May 25th, in fact, Delta Air Lines will operate a daily flight from Naples to New York JFK.
Naples, record attendance at Monte Echia: everyone queuing for the panoramic lift
The occupation
Occupations for hotels and B&Bs travel on the same wavelength. The sold-out will be reached at the last minute. From Federalberghi Napoli they let it be known that for the long weekend on Thursday 25th April (which therefore extends over 4 nights) the average room occupancy should exceed 85%, with a probable full house on the 27th. 40 thousand will stay in the hotel. Less certainty for May 1st (which arrives on Wednesday, so will not generate a bridge for holidaymakers): for the night of April 30th bookings are now at 70%, but the figure can grow. «We have good forecasts – adds Agostino Ingenito, president of the non-hotel trade association, Abbac – there will probably be a full house, even if today we are around at 70% of employment. With the last minute everything will fill up, as usually happens. However, we are recording several cases of speculation: hosts force cancellations on those who were already booked, paying the penalty, to resell the beds at tripled prices for the long weekend of the 25th. The situation involves around 2 thousand of the 10 thousand advertisements in Naples. More people are booking on social media since the identification code for accommodation facilities has existed. It is an attempt by illegal immigrants to avoid paying taxes and withholding tax, which has risen to 21% on both Airbnb and Booking, and which for a few weeks has been deducted at the time of booking. Last year for a bed in Naples on April 25th you paid 80 euros. Today the average is 110-120 euros».
Events
Shortly before the bridge, on the 21st, the seafront will close to traffic again for the Napoli Running. The same will happen on May 12th, for the sprint finish of the Giro stage on via Caracciolo. If the challenge for Partenope is to find a balance between permanent tourism and livability, tourism itself is also called to evolve. The large crowd of visitors is transforming the key points of the city into a casbah, as a street Toledo or the Decumani. Street vendors, sock sellers everywhere and a return of cigarette smuggling, offered to tourists by pseudo-traders on foot: it is the anarchy of Partenope, which also affects tourism.
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