The war has burst the bubble of Italy’s dream of reviving tourism and a new influx of Russian tourists after the Covid pandemic wanes. Russians most of all like to visit the Adriatic resort of Rimini, in second place in the list of favorites is Rome, and in third is Venice. The hotel association Federalberg predicts that the capital city of Rome alone will lose 150 million euros in tourism revenue this year.
Russian yachts and their wealthy owners in recent years have rushed en masse to the Costa Smeralda on the island of Sardinia. However, most of them had already pursued and fled from the island, so as not to fall under the blows of the Italian financial police. As part of the application of European sanctions, this executive body has consistently confiscated expensive Russian property such as rich villas and yachts.
Hotels and luxury shops in Milan and Bologna are looking forward to Orthodox Easter. Usually 175,000 tourists come from Russia for these holidays, spending about 20 million euros. Nobody hopes for such figures this year. The resurrection of Christ will not revive Italian tourism, according to DW.
It was because of the expected tourists that the government eased restrictions on the pandemic back in February, including by deciding that the Russian Sputnik V vaccine was now recognized. Combined with a simple quick test, it opens up access to all culinary establishments and attractions.
Tourism generates 13% of Italy’s GDP, making it an industry of strategic importance to the country.