Summer 2023, the yellow of numbers: record arrivals, but the hotels are empty
According to industry operators, "it's not a record season," as Chessa claims. «The numbers of the airports do not distinguish between Sardinians and tourists, -20/30% of presences in hotels»
On the one hand there are the numbers of airports and ports - which in terms of arrivals seem to reward Sardinia -, on the other the accommodation facilities which are one step away from mid-August and are still far from sold out.
Is it a record summer as claimed by regional councilor Gianni Chessa? This is not the opinion of hoteliers, associations and organizations in the sector who today travel on an average of minus twenty/thirty percent of overnight stays.
PROOF
The late tourist connects early in the morning on Booking. com, without much hope and with the intention of booking a room for two in the week of August. And despite the tight schedule, he discovers with amazement that the choice is far beyond expectations, with almost all of the structures ready to host last-minute travellers.
UNDERTONE AUGUST
Thus, while Chessa and his transport colleague Antonio Moro toast talking about " record flows in ports and airports " and a "traffic that exceeds not only that of 2022 but also the pre-Covid season of 2019", there is no rejoicing on the field .
«We have to be honest: June and July ended with a minus sign, and August currently seems almost disastrous, with a generalized decline which in principle results in between 20 and 30 percent fewer bookings in all the establishments sardines», comments Fabio Fiori, president of the Olbia hoteliers' association and member of Federalberghi Gallura.
In short, "there is no trace of these tourists in hotels, bars, restaurants, on the street".
FEDERALBERGHI
Not even Paolo Manca, number one at Federalberghi Sardegna, makes a toast. "The data on arrivals are partial: they only photograph the passage through ports and airports without distinguishing between Sardinians and tourists, or on those who come for work or on vacation," he reflects. «There is a 25 percent increase in the hotel extras confirmed by the Region, but the numbers on the large portals are unchanged. It is clear that all that black housing is emerging.
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