Dario Franceschini, Italy's Minister of Culture and Tourism, said the country will not welcome foreign visitors until the end of the year. The opening of borders will depend on the pandemic situation and the policies of each country. According to the plan, Italians will be able to travel from one region to another from May 18.
Many museums and popular tourist destinations are currently closed, with some expected to be gradually lifted by the government in early May. The Colosseum and Pompeii are set to reopen. Hotels have not been ordered to close by the government, but due to the lack of tourists, only a few are still operating.
While the decision is bad news for Italy's 2020 tourism season, some in the industry are hopeful for the positives. "Take cruise ships, for example, which have been a headache in Venice. As far as I know, not a single ship has docked in Venice this year. The port authority now has a few years to rethink its business model," said local tour guide Luisella Romeo.
Meanwhile, tour guide Agnes Crawford has another prediction: "When tourists do travel again, they will no longer want to flock to crowded, cramped spots; they may want to go to quieter places, looking for different experiences. Luckily, Italy has countless such places."
