Recent data released by STR Global shows improving conditions in the Italian hotel market.
Occupancy in Rome showed an increase of 17.9 percent during August 2009 compared with the same period from the previous year. Florence and Naples both posted increases in occupancy rates for July and August, indicating that at least the leisure sector is gaining back some of the ground recently lost.
Marco Malacrida, director Italy for STR Global, noted that corporate business in Italy is still suffering even though the Milan Fashion Week in September drew more visitors than it did in 2008.
STR Global has recently introduced its STAR programme to Udine and Perugia in addition to its ongoing expansion of all Italian markets, in particular Naples, Genoa and Turin. Other markets that are in progress include more leisure-based samples covering the Adriatic Riviera, Sicily, Capri and the Amalfi coast, all to be launched shortly.
