The pathetic prospect of the Italian tourist industry

The journalist and writer Beppe Severigni wonders what Italy has left to offer tourists. "The readers [who are writing letters to the newspapers] travel, see, verify and evaluate, and every time, they are a bit more embarrassed. The blackberry bushes, linseed, rye and hemp are disappearing. Orchards are shrinking, corn, soy and rice are increasing. The land is dry and barren, a bit like the plains in America. Less swamp-land, less cultivation, fewer trees, fewer colours. ... Ironically it is this patchy Italy that wants to be reborn as tourism's super power ... . In addition, only 41 % of the hospitality industry offers Internet to its clients, one out of five hotel rooms. An this is the 21st century, in a country without any raw material and practically deprived of any big industry we want to become a superpower for tourism. What's the big deal ? Oh, nothing, summer is on it's way, let's just think about having fun."

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