Travel to Italy will diminish if MENA bounces back, says ABTOI

A member of the Association of British Tour Operator to Italy (ABTOI) has claimed that travel to Italy will be ‘diminished’ when violence-hit countries Tunisia and Egypt come back ‘in to vogue’, a report has shown. The bleak outlook on the destination’s tourism prospects has been announced despite a positive year for travel from the UK to Italy, which saw 44% of ABTOI members record a rise in business compared to this year’s first quarter. “If any previously off limit countries (e.g. Tunisia, Egypt) come back into vogue, it will diminish Italy (and other considered 'safe' countries tourism),” one member told the association. “Standard of accommodation in other countries is higher and cheaper,” added another. Members of ABTOI also said the exchange rate on the euro and increased competition from direct sell websites would affect sales, although 66% of operators expect to see a boost in sales and some may increase capacity. According to ABTOI’s figures, the value and price of bookings through its members generally remained static compared to 2010’s second quarter, although bookings valued under £1,000 increased year-on-year. Around a fifth (22%) of members increased prices during the second quarter while only 7% dropped prices and the lead-in period continued to stay between one and four months. Tuscany continued to be the most popular destination, followed by Veneto and Sicily.