Most Italians, according to the newspaper La Nazione, will not be going on vacation this summer. Recent surveys show that 60% of Italians cannot afford even a short break away from the cities where they live year-round.
Prices in Italy continue to rise: those who do manage to take a break at a holiday resort are expected to spend around €900 per week, just for food and accommodation (hotel or short-term rentals).
Sky-High Prices for Beach Umbrellas
According to consumer group Altroconsumo, a beach setup with one umbrella and two sunbeds now costs €220 for one week. For those who do take holidays, short domestic trips dominate, with 93% of Italians staying within national borders. Only 7% plan to travel abroad, mainly to Greece, Spain, and France.
With stagnant wages and a rising cost of living, Italians are being forced to adopt a more realistic approach, giving up vacation dreams and cutting back on leisure travel plans.
Holiday Loans on the Rise
At the same time, there’s a sharp increase in so-called “holiday loans”. So far this year, €220 million in loans have been issued specifically for vacations. On average, people borrow €5,500, to be repaid over four years.
This trend is largely driven by surging prices. For example, a family of four is estimated to need €6,500 for a two-week seaside vacation—a sum that’s difficult for a working couple to save, especially with all the unexpected expenses that arise throughout the year (a familiar challenge also in Greece).
Compared to last year, train ticket prices have risen by 10%, and airfare to European destinations has gone up by 14%. Unsurprisingly, more and more Romans are opting to cool off in nearby mountain villages in the Castelli region, or head to local beach towns like Ostia and Fregene, once beloved by legendary filmmaker Federico Fellini.
Source: DW
Theodoros Andreadis Syggelakis, Rome
