"Considering the summer climate and the growing desire to travel of Italians and foreigners, autumn could have become the plus in the Sardinian holiday budget". Gian Paolo Pileri, 58, regional president and national vice president of Fiavet (Italian federation of travel and tourism business associations), mixes the concept with annoyance and resignation: "Instead we have no idea what will happen from 15 October to flights to and from Milan and Rome, let alone the reservations for that period ».
How was the tourist season for travel agencies?
«Those who have made incoming , that is, have taken care of bringing vacationers to the island, have started working again, despite the difficulties. Unfortunately, those who organize the travels of the Sardinians remained with folded arms ».
Because?
“Today packages can only be sold for a limited number of destinations: Canada, Dubai and cruises. Jordan - a small share of requests - and, most recently, Aruba, the Maldives, Mauritius, the Seychelles, the Dominican Republic and two locations in Egypt. From November 1st, the doors of the United States should reopen, something will change ”.
The most popular Sardinian areas?
"The Costa Smeralda, San Teodoro, Alghero, Villasimius and Pula, while Cala Gonone and Ogliastra are at the top of the preferences of foreigners and therefore heavily penalized during 2021".
Stop the fear of Covid?
"Not only. Until the green pass became operational, they avoided Italy ».
The autumn?
«A golden age, considering the climate. There are still a lot of people around, also thanks to sporting events that have significantly lengthened the season ».
Criticisms of Sardinian tourism?
«Too much improvisation, even if we face a particular period. Living for the day is not combined with tourism which, on the contrary, is based on careful and anticipated planning. We are already working for next year, to understand each other ».
Does territorial continuity in the balance create problems?
"Huge. It is a great puzzle. It is useless to study new strategies for 2022 if we do not even know what will happen in October: people risk not being able to reach even Rome and Milan. Paradoxically, we can sell a flight to Canada but without the route between Sardinia and Italy's intercontinental hubs ».
Reservations for the next few weeks?
«Given the favorable weather, many would like to take a few days in Sardinia in the second half of October. But unfortunately I am not yet able to book due to the lack of flights ».
Will the new Continuity lead to an increase in ticket prices?
"Yes, if there is no precise protocol."
Are you optimistic about the new flights?
"We still have to understand what will happen, this is already pure madness."
Transport is negatively affecting tourism.
"Absolutely yes. Were it not for the work that airport companies do to conquer new slices of the market, we would be in really bad shape. Flights with territorial continuity risk becoming a disaster. In a week, northern Sardinia will be semi-isolated because low cost airlines will no longer fly to the airports of Alghero and Olbia, while some connections remain in Cagliari. It's a serious problem: you can't even book a medical visit in Milan because you don't know how to get there ».
The faults of politics?
“He could have done better and faster. Those in government do not take tourism into consideration, to which they reserve many words and few facts: it is worth 13 per cent at the national level, something more in Sardinia. We are in an era characterized by ruthless competition, increasingly aggressive foreign and Italian competition. In order not to succumb, our offer must be timely and of high quality ».
