Rome (AFP)
Closing European borders to Americans this summer due to the pandemic would result in a loss of 1.8 billion euros for the Italian economy, the main agricultural union, Coldiretti, said on Sunday.
"Travelers from the United States are the non-European tourists who appreciate Italy the most, with 12.4 million overnight stays in summer", according to data from the Bank of Italy (Bankitalia) in the 3rd quarter of 2019 , cited by Coldiretti.
Their absence this summer would result in "a loss of 1.8 billion euros for Made in Italy tourism," said Coldiretti in a statement.
To this loss would be added that of travelers from Russia, "who have grown steadily in recent years, while weak signals continue to arrive from Germany and Northern Europe despite the reopening of the borders ( intra-European) for two weeks, "said the union.
Europeans must agree on a list of countries that their level of Covid-19 contamination would make it "safe", which would allow residents to come to the EU from July 1. This list, which will be revised every two weeks, currently excludes the United States and includes China subject to conditions.
According to Coldiretti, the absence of foreign tourists is not compensated by domestic tourism, only 34 million Italians having decided to go on vacation for at least a few days this summer, a figure down 13% compared to last year.
The union stresses however that Italy is by far this year the preferred holiday destination for 93% of Italians, compared to 86% last year.
© 2020 AFP