Even known tourist spots suffer from economic upset, research affirms

CAPRI, ITALY — After being the once-frequently-visited rendezvous of the rich and famous — from cash-generating head honchos, movie actors to soccer superstars — the island of Capri is now at a loss for visitors. Reportedly, the scenario now is that restaurants open, but they remain empty even at lunchtime. Hotels are also experiencing lesser guests.

“After 23 years working in Capri, this is the first time that been slow,” 42-year old Salvatore Vitiello, muses. The man works as a waiter at Al Piccolo, a bar located in Piazza Umberto. On the day of his interview, it really was noticeable that only a few dropped by to dine and enjoy a drink. As with number of tourists, he estimates this year’s record suffered 30% decrease than last year’s.

Perhaps crisis must be blamed. With the looming crisis, many of the then-usual vacationers and tourists chose to instead ‘break the habit’ for this year’s ‘peak season’, or opt for a much closer destination. In that way, expenses will not be much of a burden.

Also, STR Global reports that from January to June of this year, hotels from all over the world had been down in terms of occupancy figures.

A report issued by the World Tourism Organization in June includes a forecast that accounts for a 4 to 6% decline in tourist expectancy for the whole of the year. Possible contributors of the decline are the recession felt elsewhere in the world, and the global scare of the influenza A (H1N1) virus.