Italy laments the loss of the U.S. tourist

Rome is Italy’s most visited city and its principal hotel association, Federalberghi di Roma, says that 90% of hotels remain closed, an economic loss of about $115 million per month.

Natalino Gisonna, the vice president for Rome’s tourism branch of the national small-medium business confederation (CNA) and owner of Corso 281 Luxury Suites, says, “The majority of our clients are from the USA and the continuing ban has serious repercussions for us. Americans spend big in Rome and we don’t take this for granted. But mostly we miss their laughter and infectious curiosity for our country.”

Hotelier Alberto Moncada di Paternò, an authority on all things Rome with art and culture in his ancestry — his grandfather rented one of his studios on the famed Via Margutta to Picasso — now owns Rome Luxury Suites.

He believes his city remains Americans’ favorite European destination. “We are feeling their absence but we know they will be back in the future because their thirst for Rome cannot be quenched. When they do return, we will readily and safely welcome them with open arms.”