Organized tourism starts again, Egypt and Tunisia the most chosen

Summer is just beginning but also from the world of organized tourism, which has suffered so much during the pandemic, good news finally arrives. The bookings recorded on May 31 by Astoi Confindustria Viaggi members, which represents over 90% of the Italian tour operating market, speak of an 11% increase in revenues compared to the survey on the same date of the 2019 summer season compared to a 4% drop in passengers. "This - says Pier Ezhaya, president of Astoi - is the first summer that officially certifies us out of the pandemic period. There is no doubt about the impact of inflation, but customers do not give up travel, which has become an incompressible commodity. Our observatory shows clearly positive data, up compared to the 2019 season". As for the destinations preferred by Italians who turn to tour operators, the highest growth, in terms of revenues - according to the observatory of Astoi Confindustria Viaggi - is represented by Egypt which records a + 46% on 2019, while Tunisia has tripled volumes compared to the last pre-pandemic year. Italy is also confirmed as a favorite destination for Italians and records a growth of more than 6% compared to summer 2019 with regions such as Sardinia, Sicily and Puglia as protagonists. For Mediterranean Europe, Spain and Greece are reconfirmed on the shields, while for sea stays in the Caribbean the Dominican Republic holds, while Cuba and other Caribbean destinations record a significant decline; East Africa is booming, represented by Kenya, Zanzibar and Madagascar. The brightest destination in the East is Japan, while in Southeast Asia stands Indonesia led by Bali. Southern Africa is chosen for nature trips, mainly South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. The data of the cruise sector are very positive, with excellent levels of employment and increased customer satisfaction. The favorite destinations for sailing holidays in summer are the Mediterranean and Europe. Study trips are back in the spotlight with an increase in revenues of about 12% after a three-year impasse due to the pandemic. Private group study trips account for about 65% of volumes. This specific segment recorded a + 25% compared to 2019, while the individual ones are substantially equal. The average duration is 15 days, with English-speaking destinations prevailing over Hispanic ones. In light of rising global inflation prices, there has been a greater confluence to destinations such as the UK, Ireland and Spain than to the US. Italy was chosen for children aged 8-12 years. Overall, in the face of the boom in demand and the scarcity of availability, it has approached sold-out since March. Linked to the unpredictability of events, the use of optional supplementary insurance continues to be very high; Three out of four practices include them. People increase the ceilings, especially if the trip is to countries where health care is very expensive, such as the United States and Egypt, for example, but special insurances such as policies for animals to take on the road are also growing.