tourism-italia.com

Yesterday, Ryanair announced that from March 2009 they will be offering seven new international flights and four new domestic flights from Bologna. Ryanair estimates that these new routes will bring 800,000 passengers to Bologna each year. So good news for local tourism! Ryanair also believes that the flights will support 2,000 local jobs. The new routes include destinations such as Edinburgh, Paris and Bari. Now I’m a big fan of low-cost airlines as they do what they say on the tin: They get you to your destination with no extra frills or costs. So Bologna, here I come!

Forecasts predict that Silvio Berlusconi has won his third term in office. Now what will this one-man powerhouse do to encourage growth in our economy? As I have previously pointed out, there are less Italians willing to part with their cash as local tourists so something has to be done to improve the situation. Seeing as Berlusconi runs media, insurance and marketing companies, among others, can he lead the way and encourage more Italians to enjoy the delights of their own country? Berlusconi has promised tax cuts and handouts so maybe these will help. We will not always be able to rely on foreign tourists to boost the tourism trade.