“Whoever starts again first has a competitive advantage that cannot be bridged”
“The tourism sector has breathed a sigh of relief after the first two years of great concern. Official figures that pass these days by Federalberghi say that moving around Easter domestic tourism was around 14 million people, while for the weekend of April 25 were about 9 million Italians who have taken to the road. Il Sole 24 hours today, glancing toward next summer, notes that almost a third of Italians (23 million people) is ready for the summer holidays, reaching the same propensity index of pre-pandemic levels. Watching Rimini, in this spring 2022 already marked by the success of the Easter holiday to which are added the great events trawlers having opened the month of May, as Macfrut and especially the National Alpini gathering that the Rimini area has produced an induced estimated at 168 million euro, as well as foreign guests much more numerous and visible until last year and not least the sun has warmed the booking, even this weekend, the hospitality industry operators are slowly regaining the confidence that had been canceled by the two years of the pandemic. A progressive salt is consolidated with a great start of 2022. Do not forget that, if you rewind the tape and go back a year, the month of May 2021 had totaled 54,347 arrivals, well away from the pre pandemic levels, a dry – 64 , 6% compared to 153,426 arrivals in May 2019. it is still early to make a first summary of the spring, but when we have the data of May 2022, we have faced many other numbers, on this there is no doubt. So we are faced with a national trend reversal, but in Rimini in particular leged by the positive trend of bookings made so far, a test that makes us look to the season that lies ahead as to what we can bring more to pre-pandemic levels. After two years of restrictions and obstacles to travel, no doubt the Italians have discovered your country and first of all the beach destinations. But Rimini had one more opportunity, not only to get to choose, but to be discovered, not only as the seaside resort of the Italians, easily accessible, but as a city of art became even more beautiful. There we heard him say many times in recent years, how we have changed. We read in the charts they do every year, the prestigious travel magazines and art on the places not to be missed. It was as a check on the spot a new enthusiasm, a new-found rebirth. We ‘a seed that we expect will bear fruit for the next summer season. Also for the 2022 Summer imagine that we have a strong national tourism movement. But I think we have everything it takes to think that foreign tourists will return. Expectations for the coming months are therefore optimistic there is indeed a growing proportion of Italians who will spend in our area also return of summer visitors, in addition to returning guests. And the Romagna and Rimini are always among the preferred destinations on the seaside market, especially in a very special like this, in which Italian and foreign not only put their attention to budget for their holidays, due to increased energy costs and of moving away without problems, but also go in search of safer places, where, have fun and “getting away” from the worries generated by the international situation. According to the Regional Tourism Observatory analyzes, Italy confirms the top preferences for over 70% of compatriots, while only 18% think abroad as a possible holiday destination. On top of the thoughts of the Italian confirmed beach destinations will be chosen by 65% of potential travelers. We can not hide the concern at the consequences that the conflict in Ukraine poses to the fears induced by the dramatic situation of uncertainty, shopping for travel and holidays which is among the first to contract, to the increase in the price of ‘ energy, which puts a strain on maintaining accounts. If the past few years had been the pandemic, this year is the Russian-Ukrainian war to influence foreign tourist movement, which in Romagna in Russian tourists had an important component. Certainly the lack of Russian tourism will have its consequences for the sector, even if for a couple of years were also down sharply due to the fact that their vaccine was not recognized in our country. This season, therefore, will be characterized by national incoming flows first, and then by the local markets, DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) in the first place. We must continue to pursue the path of programming, critical to the tourism sector, and promotion. On May 26 of the Rimini-Monaco link, guaranteed by German and Austrian railways (Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB), on a daily basis throughout the summer. We have prepared a TV promotion campaign aimed at the German market and started in January. But now we must return to a new normal riding that recording step that we saw at the start of May and you have to be careful not to miss, thanks to the thousands of visitors who will arrive in a few days for the most important industry event of ‘Italy, Expodental Meeting, or 700 more of their incoming accompanying athletes from around the world for European candidates Springboard, up to the bridge on 2 June which will be opened by the well-being people with Rimini wellness to which is added the feast of Pentecost (June 5), than a tradition that will bring many German tourists on our coast. The last Regional Observatory surveys show a high satisfaction among operators of the Rimini hospitality industry (and not only) and all the connected chain. Who starts first has a competitive advantage not unbridgeable, I am confident that the biggest tourism industry of Italy while it builds its future, will show up with the best he can offer to find that smile erased a two-year long pandemic “.
cs Municipality of Rimini