“The trade fair-congress chapter, strategic for our territory, has finally opened”
“The TTG that has just ended in Rimini has recorded important numbers, as has tourism in our region, despite the difficulties of some key sectors. But we do not take anything for granted: we immediately start working for the future again by leveraging the ability to transform ambitious visions into concrete projects that has always distinguished us “
“For too long our cities have been deprived of the trade fairs in the presence, essential engines of economic and tourist development – says Gianni Indino, vice president of Confcommercio Emilia Romagna with responsibility for tourism -. Now we can finally say that we have opened this fundamental chapter and the numbers of the TTG-SIA-SUN that just ended at the Rimini Fair have been really appreciable, very close to those of the pre-pandemic editions in terms of buyers and attendance. A great result for the governance of IEG which deserves the credit for never giving up an inch, always believing in the restart of a strategic and important sector for tourism and for the life of our territory. Seeing hotels, restaurants and bars full of people in mid-October gave me great confidence and confidence. All of Italy, all of Europe and also many operators from non-EU countries participated in what is in effect the most important event on tourism in our country. As regional vice president of Confcommercio with responsibility for tourism, I participated in various meetings, debates and seminars, from the inauguration with the authorities, up to the closing day, talking about tourism with those who do tourism in all its forms.
In an Italy that is restarting, with Emilia Romagna once again protagonists, some critical issues remain that must be addressed. The first, brought to the attention of the SIB-Confcommercio (Italian Bathing Union), concerns the issue of state-owned concessions and the future of beaches to which politics must give a quick response in order not to frustrate the work and investment of many operators. The second concerns the sectors represented by Fiavet – Italian Federation of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators adhering to Confcommercio, which together with buses and tourist guides during the pandemic have seen almost zero activity. Many businesses that have closed and never reopen, as well as staff who have had to change jobs. Refreshments arrived late and insufficiently are the answers that these companies need more support to lead them towards the full resumption of work that will contribute as before in a decisive way to the entire tourism supply chain.
Meanwhile, we record this excellent estate for the Emilia-Romagna coast and more generally for the Italian seaside resorts. Throughout the Emilia Romagna Region, the data are also comforting for the first 8 months of 2021, with + 34% of presences compared to 2020 and -27.5% on 2019, without forgetting that from January to April this year too it was all still. Thanks to the varied vocation of the regional destinations and the seasonal adjustment policies, our tourism has held up. The cities of art and culture, food, wellness and motor valley, the mountains, the paths and nature, the spas, the trade fair-congress segment, just to name a few, are the levers on which we will still have to push. But let’s not take anything for granted: if the results obtained in the summer are flattering, they shouldn’t make us lull our laurels. Let us remember well that many Italians have remained on the national territory again this year and that as a seaside resort in the north we have been favored by the fact that those traveling by car have chosen destinations that are more easily accessible than in the south. When we fly again, hopefully very soon, the scenarios will inevitably change. This is why we must immediately work hard to bring here the foreigners who have been missing in recent years and to find those who have chosen our destinations in this emergency. I trust first of all in administrations for the activation of good promotional-marketing strategies and in the foresight of entrepreneurs for investments in redevelopment and innovative ideas. The entire Italian tourism sector and in particular that of Emilia Romagna have always shown an exceptional ability to look ahead, transforming ambitious visions into concrete projects, starting from the entrepreneurial spirit of the private sector, corroborated by the public. From here we have to start again to continue marching fast ”.
Press release
Confcommercio Emilia-Romagna