Ferragosto holiday sold out as foreign tourists flock back

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 11 - Italy's mid-August Ferragosto holiday is sold-out as foreign tourists have flocked back to Italy after the COVID pandemic break, CNA Turismo e Commercio said Thursday.
    The tourism body said the results were far better than even the pre-pandemic summer of 2019.
    Between August 12 and 21, it said, over 10 million tourists will stay in Italian accommodations, traditional and new ones.
    The total will rise to 15 million people if Italians spending the holiday in their second homes is added in.
    Of those who will stay in hotel, B&B, Air B&B or agriturismo facilities, CNA Turismo e Commercio said, there will be 5.5 million Italians and 4.5 million foreigners.
    Overall spending, direct and indirect, should reach some 3.5 billion euros, the organization said.
    Italians are mostly heading for the beach, mountains and spas while foreigners, especially extra-Euroepan ones, will be more attracted by art cities and borghi, said the survey, of which ANSA published a sneak preview. (ANSA).