Sicily, whose economy has grown more and more dependent on tourism, both foreign and domestic, is anxious to be back in business in a big way as soon as travel is safe again, and its preparing to lure visitors with hotel discounts and maybe airfare.
The island’s regional government says it has put aside money for the project. The program was announced as part of a €1.5 billion Stability Bill; the announcement said that “€75 million has been allocated for the advance purchase by the Region of vouchers and cards to be distributed, for promotional purposes, to tourists, once the health emergency has ceased.”
Sicily’s tourism chief, Manilo Messina told reporters that “We’ll buy services such as hotel nights from operators, and we’ll give them to tourists, Sicilians or not, who come to us. He explained that visitors who stay for three nights will be comped for one of them; those who stay for six nights will only pay for four. Some media reports have said that airfare may be comped or discounted also, but there is no official word.
Photo: Cefalu Cathedral (PHeymont/TravelGumbo)
