7 mn to travel over holiday weekend

(ANSA) - Rome, December 7 - Nearly seven million Italians, or over 11% of the population, are preparing to head away from home for the long holiday weekend starting on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, the hoteliers' federation Federalberghi said on Wednesday.
    This is 12.9% up on last year and translates into a 25% increase in turnover to a total of 2 billion euros gross, the organisation added.
    Some 93% of holidaymakers will remain in Italy, while the rest will mostly spend the long weekend in European capitals. Of those remaining in Italy 35% have chosen art cities and 32% mountainous locations. This compares to 32% and 36% respectively last year.
    Some 37% of holiday makers will stay with relatives or friends, while 23% will stay in a hotel, compared to 34% and 25% last year.
    In addition, 13% will stay in their own holiday home. Average per-capita spending will be 294 euros, up 10% on the 267 euros recorded last year. Those remaining in Italy will spend on average 266 euros per head, while foreign travelers will spend on average 658 euros.
    People will spend on average three nights away from home.
    Federalberghi President Bernabò Bocca said the figures gave a "positive signal" but also emphasised the "great concern at the tangible risk that the government crisis and early end of parliament might zero the chronograph of measures to relaunch tourism" in Italy.