Rome, Sep 7 (IANS/AKI): The number of guests in hotels in recession-hit Italy fell during the first eight months of this year, according to a study.
Between January and August, the number of people staying in hotels dipped 2.6 percent. It also shrank 5.6 percent from the same period in 2011, the Fedalberghi association reported Thursday.
Foreign tourists increased by 1.2 percent compared to the same period last year.
Italian hotel guests plunged nearly nine percent in July - Italy's hottest month - although foreigners nudged up 0.2 percent.
Hotels had six percent fewer guests in July and August overall compared to the same period last year, although the number of foreigners climbed 1.1 percent, Federalberghi said.
Italy's economy has contracted for the past four quarters as tax hikes, tough public spending cuts and pension reforms aimed at cutting a vast sovereign debt have dented consumer spending.