The tail end of winter risks ruining the bridge of April 25th which, however Bari, has always represented the ‘dress rehearsal’ of the summer. However, among operators in the sector touristoptimism reigns, although certainly a weather forecast more lenient would certainly have led to a greater influx of visitors, especially local ones. This was confirmed by Francesco Caizzi, national vice president and Apulian president of Federalberghi: «We should have good feedback, especially from foreigners”, he clarifies. Even if, he specifies, «the weather will negatively influence the movements of Italian travelers and therefore local or the co-regional ones”. However, he assures us that the influx of tourists is in line with last year, with a room occupancy rate of around 60%.
Forecasts
Despite the highly influencing weather forecasts, tourists still have a great desire to move, including foreigners, who among other things have a greater spending capacity than Italians. For the Liberation Day giant bridge, Coldiretti Puglia also explains, “foreign tourists will arrive in Puglia from the United States, England, Holland and Canada, with Brindisi, Bari and Foggia among the most popular provinces for their holiday”. Giovanna Castrovilli, president of Aetb (Terra di Bari extra-hotel association) and Confimpresaitalia extra-hotel manager, is also optimistic about tourism data. The bed and breakfasts for the April 25 long weekend are not only «all sold out», comments the president, but «there are also requests that we have not been able to satisfy. We are overbooked.” More caution instead for the May 1st long weekend, even if “hopefully in the last minute”.
The positive trend of tourism in Bari therefore continues with the deseasonalization continuing to produce its fruits. The process that tends to build a cultural, sporting and religious offer to attract flows with other motivations in different periods and not live on a single seasonality is therefore in full operational phase. That is, that of the ‘good season’ and therefore of the sea. In fact, tourism councilor Ines Pierucci has always said this, whose objective was to make “Bari a tourist city with a cultural vocation”.
Reservations
So there are many bookings these days and the numbers and expectations on the flow of tourists arriving in the city in the coming months are positive and the prelude to the summer season in Bari therefore has a very special flavour. The events scheduled, not only for the long weekend of April 25th but also in the months to come, are bringing with them a large number of visitors.
«Bari was invaded by tourists for Deejay Ten, as it will be for some concerts – confirms Castrovilli. Naturally – he specifies – religious events (such as the feast of Saint Nicholas, ed.) are those that attract the most, especially families and faithful”. The president assures that extra-hotel facilities were in high demand in April and a rosy May is also expected. «In June – he clarifies – there are some bookings from all parts of Europe and also from the United States and Australia. However, there are still not many bookings between July and August.” For this weekend, the response in non-hotel facilities from Bulgarians, English, Germans and Hungarians is excellent.
The majority of people from Bari and Puglia, weather permitting, will instead spend April 25th on a farm. A choice that offers the opportunity to take a traditional picnic away from the cities without giving up the comfort and protection from bad weather guaranteed by the hospitality of country businesses.
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