tourism-italia.com

According to Reuters, Italian Tourism Minister Vittoria Brambilla is planning on opening 10 to 15 luxury casinos to boost the Italian tourism sector. These casinos would be housed in five star hotels and form part of a 19 point plan set out by Brambilla to help tourism in Italy, especially in the poorer southern areas. However, her plans still need to be approved by the government and the local municipalities where the casinos will be situated. There are currently four northern municipal-controlled casinos in Venice, San Remo, Campione near Como and San Vincent. The new casinos will include two re-opened casinos in Taormina in Sicily and San Pellegrino Terme near Bergamo. So far this year, casinos have taken 347 million euros in bets with Venice taking the largest amount. If Brambilla’s plans are approved then these new casinos could be the boost that Southern Italy needs to finally break out of the shadow of the North.

The Italian State Tourist Board must be grinning from ear to ear with the news that Italy has been voted the best European destination for a long holiday in the Sunday Times Travel Magazine Reader Awards. They beat Greece and Spain into second and third place for the title because “with its mix of ‘the best sights, smells… and designer bags,’ you know ‘there’s a holiday for everyone in Italy.  The newspaper even recommends some experiences for readers to experience such as food in Siciliy and the beaches along the Tuscan coast. But really I’m not surprised really that Italy won. Seeing as I write a blog about Italy, I know what a fantastic place it is. I’m just glad that it is getting some recognition and that people are realising just how unique and interesting Italy is!