This trend is revealed by the provincial tourism Councillor Giacomo Billi. Last year the attendance recorded in the official accommodation (about 2900) was 12.3 million on a total of an estimated 20 million considering the un-official structures.
The development of tourism in the province was characterized by growth in arrivals (+5%) and presences (+8.4%). There was a +7.6% attendance in hotels and +10% for the other accommodations with the growing presence of foreigners (+9.3%) and Italians (+6%).
The United States remains the top foreign market reference (up 8%), but increased the number of tourists from Brazil (+48%), Russia (+43%), China (46%). Decline tourism from Spain (-4%).
The outlook for 2012 give indications “slightly positive” for some foreign markets (intercontinental Countries), but it’s not very comforting for domestic market and some European countries.
In the city of Florence has grown arrivals (+5.4%) and attendance (+7.1%). Italians are increased by 2.9%, foreigners by 8,6% (+7.1% for hospitality, +6.9% for non-hotel). The prices of the hotels (detected by Trivago), in the city and the province stood at the same level of May 2008 (less than Venice and Rome).
“These figures – said Billi – come after a positive 2010. At a time of crisis, tourism can be the answer to jump-start our economy, in terms of jobs.” Billi added: “There is still a stupid assumption to say that tourists come to this city just because it is called Florence, but it’s not true and we should invest in a real team effort to improve our incoming, involving public and private sectors.”