With the rise in Covid infections the holidays of 10 million Italians are at risk, and it is estimated this would cost 4.1 billion for domestic tourists alone - a third of which is destined for food, both in restaurants and across agricultural tourism, says the Italian Farmers’ Association Coldiretti.
The hospitality sector will pay the highest price
Coldiretti underlines the fact that inevitable new restrictions due to the resurgence of the pandemic would ruin any chance of a return to normality for the holidays, even after the strides that have been made by the vaccination campaign. The Association explains that the hospitality sector will pay the highest price with suppliers of accommodation, food, transport, entertainment, shopping and souvenirs set to receive another major economic blow.
Fears for the traditional Christmas markets
The new planned travel routes for many regions in the yellow zone fuel the fear of both a slowdown in general bookings and also the cancellation of many Christmas events, starting with traditional seasonal markets that are a key commercial opportunity for many areas and concerns. Also at risk is a severely tested production network that had hoped to restart after the harsh Christmas of 2020 that was marked by the lockdown and the loss of both domestic and foreign tourism.
