CIVITAVECCHIA – Confcommercio Roma has carried out a survey on trade and tourism businesses in the municipality of Civitavecchia. The data was collected through interviews with 130 local entities. According to the study, local retail and tourism companies are recording a decline in revenues “during 2023 (26.8% produced lower revenues compared to the previous period) and a better 2024 is not expected”.
THE IMPACT OF CRUISES
Cruise passengers, again according to the report, constitute on average 12% of the revenues of the Municipality’s trade and tourism businesses. A percentage that reaches “13% and 18% respectively in public establishments and tourist accommodation companies”. Almost 83% of local businesses “believe – we read – that the offer of reception services in their municipality is completely inadequate to welcome international tourists linked to cruise flows”. As regards the interventions that companies consider priority, we find resurfacing of the road surface, intensification of control and supervision, restoration of pavements and cleaning and arrangement of drains.
THE ALARMING FACT
A worrying fact emerges from the study because in 2023 there were 74 new businesses but 120 were those that closed their doors permanently with a negative balance of -46. In the last two years, revenues have increased according to 17% of companies, but they are less optimistic for the next two. The study then highlights the impact of cruise passengers and the place.
«The average number of cruise customers of Civitavecchia companies is very low, equal to 3%. The exceptions are public establishments (7%) and hotels (16%). The average impact on revenues is 12%.” Interestingly, 22% of companies believe that cruise passengers contribute to filling times that usually have less traffic. Another chapter is that linked to decorum with 82% of companies dissatisfied with local taxation on waste. Then there is a section dedicated to proposals.
THE PROPOSALS
According to the study, in fact, the Ficoncella thermal area, the Taurine spa and the seafront are the sites in which the new municipal council should invest the most in order to make the municipality more attractive. Furthermore, for businesses, it is necessary to create a calendar of cultural events shared with traders. It is also necessary to encourage “new economic activities that favor female and youth employment and establish collaborations with technical institutes”, and finally the road network of Civitavecchia must be strengthened. Only 34% of companies are satisfied with the work of the current administration.
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