Amalfi Coast Suffers Economic Losses Due to COVID-19

AMALFI, ITALY - For tourists planning a trip to Italy, the Amalfi Coast has been a dream destination. For decades, visitors from around the world have come to this beach resort to enjoy the view from its spectacular coastline and crystal blue waters, its picturesque towns that dot the coast, the friendliness of the locals and the exquisite food. 

In the last year, though, the Italian economy has been hard hit by the COVID-19 outbreak with the country’s gross domestic product falling by about $178 million, a drop of 8.9%, according to a report by Legacoop, an association of more than 10,000 companies present throughout the country with activities in all sectors. The report described 2020 “the most catastrophic year in times of peace,” not only for Italy but for the entire world.  The World Tourism Organization said the COVID-19 pandemic brought global tourism to a near-complete standstill, estimating a decline in international tourism of more than 70% in 2020, taking it back to the levels of 30 years ago.  Like major art cities in Italy, the Amalfi Coast was not spared the economic fallout and was hard hit by the lack of tourists. The tourism sector is estimated to have lost about $63 billion in the past year due to travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the pandemic. Hotels, restaurants, as well as shops selling handicrafts and souvenirs have been forced to close for weeks and months, resulting in losses to their businesses. In some cases, locals say, up to an 85% loss.