Visa Europe: increase in the spending of foreign tourists in Italy Jul 07

This year foreigners are spending more in Italy. According to the Mediterranean Rim Tourism Monitor of Visa Europe the total expenditure of foreign consumers in our country has increased 17.3% with respect to the same period in 2010, with a total amount of 1.8 billion euros. Visitors from France are in the leading position with 263 million euros spent between January and April and an increase of 11.71% year by year. But the greatest increase in the expenditure of foreign visitors is from two BRIC countries: Brazil went from 38 to 57 million, for a 49.2% increase in 2011 compared to 2010; and Russia increased 49.7%, going from 114 million in 2010 to 171 million in 2011. Swiss visitors increased their consumption in our country with a total of 87.4 million euros in the first four months of 2011, for 21% growth with respect to the same period in 2010. Spending on food and hotels increased 16.3% and 149% respectively. "The study indicates that our country continues to attract flows of foreign visitors, continuing to have a positive impact on the Italian economy", stated Davide Stefanini, the General Manager of Visa Europe for Italy.