In Italy there is currently a drop of 15 percent in the number of holiday-makers in comparison to figures from last summer's season.
The daily ascribed poor results in the tourist turnover to high prices. Everything has become more expensive, including fuel which has gone up by 10.7 percent, air traffic (14.2 percent), travel arrangements (nine percent), restaurants and pizzerias (4.3 percent) to hotels (1.6) percent.
In addition, many tourists do not stay on long holidays as it has been the case earlier.
Italian hotel owners say that the country is losing traditional clients -- German and Austrian tourists -- who opt for Croatia, which they say is cheaper, as the destination for their summer holidays.