In Cagliari , tourism is worth 400 million euros . And the sector, in view of the 2023 summer season , is "making itself beautiful", presenting itself as strong and growing. «The numbers are encouraging. There are extraordinary months ahead of us and we are preparing to live them to the fullest".

So the president of Fipe Confcommercio Sud Sardegna Emanuele Frongia , speaking during the meeting “Public establishments and tourism. The city and the tourism role of businesses in 2023”, organized at the Thotel. On the agenda, the presentation of data on the number of businesses in the Cagliari area, their turnover and the number of employees. In 2023 , there are 438 bars, restaurants and clubs in the historic center of Cagliari, 686 in the rest of the city. There are 3,300 employed people: 50% women, 64% under 40 and 3% foreigners. «Covid, which has long blocked our sector, is now a distant memory. And so we can say it: we are positive. Ours are solid companies , there are 1,154 of them in Cagliari alone . They produce more than 265 million euros , while the added value exceeds 130. Surely there are problems, from the lack of workforce to transport. But the upcoming Easter will be a good test for everyone».

Among the concerns of the entrepreneurs present at the meeting, also the "restyling" that the city is undergoing, divided between open construction sites and others ready to go. «Often our role within the community is not recognized. In order to move forward with serenity we need clear answers: where are we going? What language will the tourists who come to the island speak? Is the city ready to welcome them?” continues Frongia. But the mayor Paolo Truzzu has no doubts and reassures: « I don't think that the upcoming changes will slow down production activities . On the contrary, they can be a stimulus and can help make the city even more welcoming , giving some more opportunities not only to citizens and tourists but also to those who come to do business». And, even if for a short time the construction sites could slow down the travel of the tourism sector, «a balance must be found and we are working to bring more and more people to the city. There are initiatives and events, the results will depend both on the work of the administration and on that of commercial operators and institutions. If we play as a team, as we have done in recent years, there will be opportunities for everyone » concludes Truzzu.

And if the numbers bode well for businesses and productive activities, there is also satisfaction in the hotel sector which is now breathing again after the "aftermath" of the pandemic. «Foreigners have resumed booking as before Covid. This, added to an Italian clientele that made a record attendance last year could give us a better result even than in 2019. Today the critical issues we find are those related to human resources », explains Paolo Manca, president of Federalberghi . But even in this case, in Sardinia the trend is in any case «opposite to the rest of Italy, where even greater difficulties are encountered. All in all, we are living in a decidedly more rosy situation», explains Manca. But it can still be improved by making an extra effort. «The city certainly needs to work on professionalization and hospitality and new beds are another necessity. Even today the reality has about 2500 places, but more would be needed», concludes the number one of Federalbeghi.

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