Almost 5.2 million Italians will take advantage of the Befana long weekend to indulge in one last remnant of vacation, in search of rest and relaxation
, almost all choosing destinations close to home, especially cities of art and sites rich in history.
These are the estimates of Federalberghi,
which signals how our tourism is changing, travel "in an intelligent way, avoiding stressful situations", but also notes that 34% will reduce the duration of the trip "because of the increases that have become unsustainable": hence the appeal by the president of the organisation, Bernabò Bocca, to "put a brake on price increases" as soon as possible.
There will be 5 million and 164 thousand - according to the research carried out by ACS Marketing Solutions for Federalberghi - the holidaymakers of the Epiphany, in 97.7% of cases headed to Italy: 68.6% in their own region, 29.1% in a neighboring region .
One million 868 thousand will pack their bags for the Epiphany period alone;
242,000 will already be on the move by New Year's Eve, while 3,54,000 will have managed to plan a holiday that will include all the holidays.
For those leaving only for the next long weekend, the average duration of the trip will be around 3.3 nights with a total per capita expenditure of 572 euros, equal to a turnover for the weekend of 1 billion and 68 million.
The preferred accommodation will be a hotel in 44.3% of cases, followed at a distance by the home of relatives or friends with 29.5%.
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Minister Daniela Santanchè
grasped the positive signs for the sector :
"97% of Italians who choose Italy are a testimony of love for our nation. But there is also 34% of compatriots who will reduce the duration of travel due to increases that have become unsustainable - and this is a problem of which we are aware, therefore the ministry is there and will do its part in supporting operators and all categories in the sector. 2023 must be the year only of the consolidation but also of the overcoming of the pre-pandemic data".
Thus ends a festive period whose balance is "absolutely positive", Bocca told ANSA.
"At Christmas the mountains won, also thanks to the good weather, but in general from April onwards we are approaching the pre-Covid levels of 2019. We are optimistic for the future, thanks to the positive forecasts for the recovery of international tourism, especially American , but also Chinese. Of course, the cost of energy weighs, but after the dramatic 2020 and 2021, 2022 could have been just a flash, but now we are counting on the fact that the restart can be structural".
Therefore, 2 out of 3 Italians will give gifts for the Epiphany, for a total expenditure of 2 billion, 100 million more than last year,
but 200 million euros less than in 2020
.
This is what emerges from a research by the Confcooperative Study Center, according to which the average expenditure for each consumer will be equal to 72 euros.
According to the study, 3 out of 4 Italians say they have spent too much between Christmas and New Year's and want to save money given the reduction in savings, the increases in the shopping cart and the energy bill.
Italians have tried to find all possible ways of saving, from hoarding gifts on the occasion of Black Friday, to sales, to the recycling of gifts received at Christmas which is worth a counter-spending of 3.2 billion.
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The Befana is confirmed to be a party for children, among the gifts the toys that predominate in the South
according to 52% of those interviewed in the southern regions will be the master.
Stockings full of sweets, chocolate but also coal produced with Italian sugar in the Center
for 45% of the sample.
In the North, on the other hand, clothing wins
by 40%.
Travel is growing with over 5 million Italians travelling, 9 out of 10 of them in Italy.
Confcooperative also points out, however, the holidays have exacerbated the difficulties for 10 million Italians.
It is a slice of the country to take charge of and put back on track through measures to combat poverty and above all active policies to address a scourge that is not only economic but also social.
