16/2/2011 00:00:00
ISTAT has issued preliminary estimates of the main aggregate demand for tourism in Italy in 2010. In 2010, overnight trips made by residents in Italy are 99 million and 997 thousand, for a total of 626 million and 947 thousand nights. Compared to 2009 there was a decrease in the number of trips (-12.4%) and the number of overnight stays (-7.8%). In particular, the holiday travel, accounting for the 87.4% of the total, show a decline (-11.4%) due to the substantial reduction in short-breaks (-18.7%), confirming the trend already reported in 2009. This effect appears most strongly in 2010, recording a decrease in the number of nights per short break (-18%). The trips for long (at least 4 nights) and overnight stays for long vacation, however, remain fairly stable. Even traveling on business, which accounted for 12.6% of travels, suffer a sharp decline (-18.4%), accompanied by a decrease of the number of overnight stays (-29%). Compared to 2009 there is also a reduction in the number of people gone on holiday on average over a quarter (from 28% in 2009 to 27% in 2010), especially among residents in the Center (from 32% in 2009 to 30.4% in 2010). Considering the destinations, trips to Italian destinations, which account for 81.7% of all trips, fell by 13.4% with a more marked decline for travels to the Central regions (-18.7%), both for holiday (-16.2%) and for business (-30.7%). Trips to foreign countries are stable as a whole, but reduces those made for work (-17.4%). Vacations to visit family or friends decrease (-17.2%), as well as those spent in accommodation free of charge (-18%). We observe an increase in holidays booked through Internet (+11.5%), while travels without reservation decrease (-24.6%).
