Source: Press release n.312 08/02/2006 (A VN) – Venice the 8th of February 2006

“2005 has been a lucky year for tourism affluence in Veneto: our Region has been confirmed to be the first for tourism flow within National borders and the percentage is still rising of 4%, well above previsions.Records show that against total tourist percentages, 57% are foreigners.”

Mr Luca Zaia, Veneto Government Deputy Chef, has highlighted that: “Data elaborations by our Statistic Office –Mr Zaia says in regard to Belluno season tourism records – are providing useful information to build an even more favourable future.We are in the position to answer with very high standard level of services to an always more self conscious and clear tourism demand.”

“In Belluno and its district –Mr Zaia argues – tourist new arrivals reached 801,499 rising of 1.6% for a total of 5,085,855.This last figure, while confirming that mountain holidays are the longest (almost a whole week), they show, nonetheless, a decline of 2.4%, in line with the general trend of a tourism more on the move and less residential in spite of the past.However, the more important data – adds the Deputy Chef of the Regional Government – is the remarkable rise of foreign tourists: their total arrivals are +7%, of which +3.7% remained in Veneto.In particular, the breakdown is: Germany +4.6%, Austria +3.6%, United Kingdom 22.6%, Scandinavian Countries 19%, Russia +18%, Netherlands +9.3%, France 5.3%, other European Countries +11.2%.

“Province of Padua – Mr Zaia says – recorded a rise of 2% more than in 2004 for total data of 1,124,029 arrivals, 42% of which were foreigners.However, records showed a very light decrease (-0.4%) on total average.In addition, figures showing the increase of tourism coming from other Italian Regions were quite relevant: Lombardia +8.1%, Emilia Romagna +17.3.Sant’Antonio Basilica always conditioned heavily Padua tourism, and this appears rather clear if the foreigner presences are checked.In this case, Portugal (Sant’Antonio homeland) tourists raised of +16.9%, while Spanish recorded a increase of +7% together with tourists from Netherlands with +11.3%.”

“Polesine –Mr Zaia continues – is placed in the last position as it concerns tourist arrivals (a total of 246,462, of which almost 40% from abroad), but the relative quota it is high with 1,769,263 presences, for an average holidays lasting beyond 7 days.This is a indication of different but nonetheless increasing (+3.3% arrivals and 0.7% residency holidays) types of tourism. The figure breakdown of figure showed a general raisings in domestic tourism as follows: Umbria +32.7%, Calabria +25.9%, Molise 18.2%, Lazio +12.2% Emilia Romagna +11.2%, Lombardia +7.8%”:

“Venice records are particularly encouraging – remember Mr Zaia – confirming this city attractiveness’ big strength.Tourists total is 6,626,168, which is more than half of the Regional score and it is still rising of 5.5% with a foreigners’ quota above 72%.In fact, foreigner tourists are +6.5%, while Italians are + 3% compared with past years figures.Summing total numbers, we achieved to 30,275,065 (more of 53% of Veneto total, and, in numbers, 19,749,173 are foreigners), increasing of 4.6%.In regards to domestic tourists, quite meaningful is the growth of tourists coming from Lazio (+19.6%).In regards to foreigner presences the breakdown is: Portugal +28.8%, Ireland +26.8%, Canada +22.6%, Russia +18%.However, growth of tourism from Germany (+1.7% for a total number of 6,169,744) from USA (1,315,800, +5.8%) from UK (1,361.889, +14.3%) from France (1,141,275, +6.7%) from Netherlands (821,463, +6.1%) from Denmark (797.297, + 19.9%) and from Spain (585,452, +13.8%), appears to be very important as well”.

Verona –Mr Zaia underlines – is the city, which scored the best results in terms of presences, reaching a quota of 11,974,087, it means to say a 10.6% total growth compared with the 2004 data.In addition, arrivals are increasing (2,565,682 units meaning a +1.8%).The growth looked at both nationals (+23.4%) and foreigners (+4.6%).These results should be mainly ascribed to GardaLake (+1.7%), but with no doubt, the rising charm of Verona and of all little ‘precious’ outskirt villages as a tourist offer around the world gave a strong contribution.For what concerns Italian tourists arrivals in Verona, the meaningful growth has been related to Emilia Romagna presences (+9.2%), to Trentino Alto Adige (+5.7%), to Lazio (3.8%).The larger growth, however, is represented by the foreigner arrivals as follows: Benelux +13.7%, Scandinavian Countries +20.4%, Ireland +12.5%, Denmark +10.4%, South Africa +11%.The attention payed to North European and Scandinavian markets – Zaia assesses – compensated enough the weak loss of 1.2% of German tourists”.

“Vicenza and its whole district, unfortunately, recorded a substantial decrease in both arrival (-2.9%) and permanent presences (-10.4%) – Zaia remembers – and this decline regarded mainly foreigner guests.Foreigners represent a ¼ of the total decrease (-6.7%) of the arrivals as much as a decline in permanent presences: -15.3%.Italians, as well, have been a lower number compared to the past and this is the indication – according to the Regional Government Deputy Chef – that the tourist call form Palladio homeland is less strong than in the past, at least in front of the rest of Veneto appeal.”.

“However, I believe – says Mr Zaia – that we will able to recover and, in general, we will be able to perform a further growth, step by step.Veneto tourism, in economical and business terms, represent the important revenue of about €12 billions per year.We are deeply committed, and we know that we can trust praiseworthy abilities of our local entrepreneurs”.“As Regional Government –finally Mr Zaia says – we are approaching to accompany this commitment with the campaign enhancing the brand “Veneto” in Germany, which will starts from Munich next February the 21st.This, in some aspects, would anticipate the Regional Unified Brand worldwide campaign.The logo brand is representing a seven-pointed star next to an image depicting St. Marcus winged lion.The overall is completed by the sentence “Veneto, between sky and earth”.