ROME, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Almost eight million Italians plan to travel over a long weekend culminating in the April 25 Liberation Day holiday, which this year falls on a Wednesday, according to Federalberghi national hotels association.
Holidaymakers are expected to spend an average of 358 euros (440 U.S. dollars) per capita on food, lodging, transportation and entertainment, with overall turnover of 2.85 billion euros, which is 22.8 percent higher than 2017, a Federalberghi survey showed.
Another seven million will get on the road during the long weekend culminating in Labor Day, which falls on Tuesday, May 1, with average per capita spending of 327 euros and turnover of 2.46 billion euros, 23 percent higher than last year.
Destinations include beaches, lakes, thermal resorts, and cultural sites, both within Italy and abroad, according to Federalberghi.
The data "confirms the signs of recovery that are benefiting the (tourism) sector," Federalberghi chief Bernabo Bocca said in a statement.
Liberation Day commemorates the end of World War II, when Resistance fighters and the Allied forces liberated Italy from Nazi German occupation.
May 1, or Workers' Day, has been celebrated in Italy since the end of the 19th century. In Rome, trade unions traditionally organize a free outdoors concert -- the so-called "concertone" -- featuring national and international bands.
