German tourists complain about a popular holiday destination in Italy

Like the smell, Palermo can’t escape its reputation as a city full of trash. The metropolis in Sicily is no exception.

Palermo – About five million people vacation in Sicily every year – even though the island has long been part of Italy It has to contend with meter-high mountains of garbage adorning the streets. Now German tourists are complaining about popular holiday destination Palermo, calling it the “dirtiest metropolis” they’ve ever visited. Meanwhile, the town in Sicily is battling something far worse than the holiday guests have ever known.

A popular vacation spot in Italy – only a “but” or “very bad” positive reviews

After several days at a bed and breakfast in the heart of Palermo, a German couple left the following review: “Palermo was a real treat, but unfortunately the dirtiest metropolis we’ve ever visited. Almost on par with India,” says guesthouse owner Eugenio Ruscignualo, which is nothing new. “The opinions are more or less always the same,” says the Italian newspaper Republic Quoted.

Nicola Farruggio, president of Federalberghi, a professional association representing the interests of hotel companies in Italy, sees it the same way. Positive reviews of tourists are always accompanied by “but” or “shame”, which should not be in his opinion. “To make matters worse, the tourist tax – four euros a day in a four-star hotel – is not compensated by adequate services,” Faruggio said.

“Reserves must be monitored” – Water shortages affect popular holiday destinations

In addition to litter and rules and lack of security, the owner of the bed and breakfast lists the worst services in Palermo as a reason for the negative reviews. According to Rusicnuolo, this is surpassed by the current water shortage that is driving away guests from hotels and guesthouses. By mid-February 2024, the government of Sicily A state of natural calamity has been declared across the island.

Sicily has seen record numbers of tourists this summer along with a list of weeds. The latest and most serious is a water crisis that is already driving away guests from hotels and guesthouses in Agrigento, Italy’s capital of culture, next year.

Antonio Marino, president of Trapani’s Federalberg, explained in an interview the extent to which water scarcity is affecting tourism. Republic. Accordingly, San Vito and Trapani receive water once or twice a week. “Perhaps the tourist doesn’t notice it during his stay, but we as hoteliers are forced to constantly monitor the hotel’s water reserves. It has become an extra task,” says Marino.

1000 euros to go to the beach – popular holiday destinations in Italy are getting more and more expensive

As water shortages increase in Sicily, temperatures rise across Italy. Heat waves are no longer a rare occurrence, but is now part of the daily lives of many residents. It’s annoying that beach fees are overcharged. According to the Italian newspaper, a family of four pays around 100 euros a day on Bagno Elena beach in Naples – including parking fees.