Italian beaches' popularity tumbles

ROME– The Italian Beaches Union have reported a sharp decrease in tourism over the last two months.

 The economic crisis and the last two months of “crazy” weather have been blamed for many beaches reporting a 70 percent decrease in holiday-makers compared to the previous year.

  It has been estimated that 400 million Euros have been lost this season and 50,000 seasonal workers have been without employment. Riccardo Borgo, president of the Italian Beaches Union, explained how the struggle is noticeable across all fields of tourism.

 “Less clients on the beaches means empty tables in restaurants, free rooms in hotels, shops filled with merchandise, but seasonal workers have also had to stay at home because the periods during which they are usually more in demand, weekends for example, have been spoiled by rain, wind, and low temperatures,” Mr. Borgo said.

 In terms of a decrease in tourism in June and July, the areas been most affected are Campania (40 percent less in June and 70 percent less in July), Marche (35 percent and 60 percent), Liguria (40 percent and 50 percent), and Tuscany (35 percent and 50 percent less).