Tourism Firms Express Skepticism Over Reported Increase in Tourist Numbers

Rome: Italy’s tourism businesses are expressing skepticism over a reported over 9% year-on-year rise in the number of Italian and foreign tourists visiting the country this August. Hotel group Federalberghi has highlighted a disconnect between official data and the experiences of tourism firms.

According to Ansa News Agency, the Interior Ministry’s data indicates an increase in tourist arrivals. However, Federalberghi has pointed out that businesses perceive this differently, with many locations experiencing either stable or declining attendance. The hotel association suggests that the rise in numbers may be largely attributable to the identification of illegal immigrants and tax evaders through the new National Identification Code (CIN), rather than genuine growth in tourism.