90,000 hotels, shops, bars and restaurants have closed in Italy as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Another 600,000 companies are at risk if their sales do not increase in the next few months, according to a study published today by the Italian trade association Confesercenti.
Half a million businesses in the tourism and gastronomy sectors are ready to cut jobs. According to a survey among the association members, seven percent of the tourist businesses went bankrupt. Almost every second company is at risk of bankruptcy.
Bars, pubs and restaurants fear the coming autumn. Tables outside will then be eliminated, which will further reduce the number of guests. Smaller businesses in tourism and gastronomy, but also in the areas of leisure, culture and sport, are particularly at risk.
The regions in northern Italy are suffering less from the difficulties than those in southern Italy, the study found. Tourism accounts for around 13 percent of Italy’s gross domestic product.
