After reports surfaced recently that Italy was going to close its borders to tourists until 2021, Giorgio Palmucci, president of the Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT) set the record straight: Italy will not be closed off to tourists this year.
“Tourism in Italy will start again, with all precautions and in maximum safety,” said Palmucci in a statement. “[Dario Franceschini, minister of cultural heritage, activities and tourism] did well to clarify that no border closure is expected. Those who love Italy must be allowed to return to enjoy it, in compliance with governmental and regional guidelines.”
He continued, saying, “It is a delicate phase in which it is essential to defend Italy also through correct communication. Misinformation and fake news risk creating serious damage and unjustified alarmism. It is, therefore, important to follow institutional sources and reliable news as much as possible, such as those provided by the Italian National Tourist Board, which provides an official bi-weekly update on the situation in Italy and in the world."
Franceschini added, "I have never spoken, nor ever thought, of closing the Italian borders to tourists for 2020. I am working on the exact opposite. I proposed [Tuesday, April 28] at the meeting of Tourism Ministers of the European Union, a European uniformity of the safety rules with respect to the risk of contagion, allowing the free movement of tourists within the European Union. So, we're starting bilateral talks with other countries that have a lot of tourism going to Italy.”
This article originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.
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