This year, low-cost carriers have proved to be the saving grace for Italy’s tourism industry which took a serious hit during the war in Kosovo. Though 1999 did get off to a shaky start, UK visitor figures should reach at least 1.8m – in line with 1998. The forecast was 2m.
Italian State Tourist Board UK director Edoardo Betti said: “The low-cost carriers are excellent news for us, especially as they don’t just concentrate on Rome and Milan. They go a little bit off-the-beaten track, and this allows travellers to explore new areas more easily.
“These flights have increased visitors from the UK by at least 10% so far this year, and this is bound to grow,” he added.
The new flights have opened up a number of destinations – recent additions include Ryanair’s services to Ancona and Turin (see budget flights panel, below). In addition, Debonair launches a Luton service to Perugia on October 31.
BA remains tight-lipped about plans for the launch of its domestic Italian carrier. An announcement on schedules and routes is expected this winter.
Debonair and Ryanair have both indicated the possibility of additional Italian routes within a year.
Ryanair head of communications Ethel Power said: “Our $2bn contract with Boeing for 45 new aircraft means we are opening eight new routes a year.
“We are in talks with over 50 airports in Europe, including several in Italy,” she added.
Debonair has plans to add another route to the south of the country, probably Sicily, although this has not been confirmed.
While some operators are offering accommodation-only packages to tie in with the new services, others play down their impact.
Italian Life product manager David Stamp said: “We take a small percentage of accommodation-only bookings, but we find the majority of our clients are prepared to pay a little extra for the convenience of an all-inclusive package.”
Simply Tuscany and Umbria prides itself on being flexible. Product manager Jennifer Payton said: “We offer clients the option of arranging their own transport – typically at a discount of around £180.”
In the meantime, the country is preparing itself for an anticipated influx of visitors over the millennium period.
The tourist board launched a £500,000 press campaign earlier this month which will run until mid-December. Also, the main sites and monuments in the city of Rome are undergoing a major facelift for the New Year.
“This is the main event – probably our biggest ever,” said Betti.
“It’s not just the holy year – which takes place every 25 years – but the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Christ. We expect in excess of 8m pilgrims from overseas.
“There will be some overcrowding in Rome during certain religious periods – notably Easter and Christmas – but generally traditional visitors and pilgrims alike will have little problem in the city,” he added.
Budget flights to Italy
Go
From Stansted, daily to Bologna; three-times daily to Milan, three-times daily to Rome; and twice daily to Venice.
Ryanair
From Stansted, twice daily to Pisa; daily Rimini, twice daily to Venice; daily to Ancona; twice daily to Turin; and twice daily to Genoa.
Debonair
From Luton, daily service, except Thursday, to Rome; three-times weekly Perugia (twice weekly from September 31).