Rome: Foreign visitors spent less time and money in Italy last year as the economic crisis hit tourism in the country with the most World Heritage cultural sites, a report by the Bank of Italy showed.
The average length of foreigners' visits fell in the 10 months through October to 4.5 days from 4.8 in the same period in 2008, the Rome-based central bank said in a report on Monday. Average expenditure per trip, excluding the cost of travelling from home, dropped to 409 euros (Dh2,179), or 7.9 per cent.
Italy, which emerged in the third quarter from its worst recession since the Second World War, ranked 21st in Europe last year and 28th globally in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index. The fact that the government is "not seen to be prioritising the sector" was a main reason for the ranking, the WEF said.
Comprehensive strategy
The boot-shaped peninsula "remains the most sought after tourist destination globally," Tourism Minister Michela Brambilla said last month in an interview on Rete 4, one of three national television channels owned by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's Mediaset SpA broadcast company.
Italy is the fifth most-visited country globally, according to the United Nation's World Tourism Organisation.
The government needs to adopt a comprehensive strategy to boost tourism after a seven per cent decline in arrivals last summer compared with the same period in 2008, business lobby Confindustria said in a September 8 emailed statement.
- 7.9%: Expenditure per trip dropped last year
- 7%: Arrivals down in summer compared to 2008
- 4.5: Average days visitors spent in Italy last year
