Downturn Takes a Bite Out of Tourism

The New York Times reports:

This Italian island, off southern Italy, is known as the playground for movie stars, soccer players and billionaires, and for normally attracting tourists from all over the world. But this year, its numbers are down. Restaurants are practically empty at lunchtime. Most luxury hotels are not full.

“After 23 years working in Capri, this is the first time that it’s been slow,” said Salvatore Vitiello, 42, a waiter at Al Piccolo Bar, in the Piazza Umberto, where only a handful of customers enjoyed a drink on a recent afternoon. Mr. Vitiello estimated a 30 percent drop in tourists this year when compared with 2008.