Istat says so. In 2023 there were just over 52 million trips by Italian residents. Stable compared to 2022 but significantly below the values of the pre-pandemic period. Italians are travelling less and even less out of season.
This can be noticed by taking a trip to South-East Asia at the end of March. For example in the Philippines, where the possibility of making new friends with English, French, German and Spanish people is always very high. Whereas if, after a few weeks, one is looking for a bit of home, the chance of meeting compatriots is drastically reduced.
On the other hand, with almost 230 million trips made in 2022 (Istat), it is France that holds the record in European tourism. Followed by Germany and, on the third step of the podium, Spain.
While TikTok is buzzing with the trend of "Soft travel", relaxing trips that avoid the obsessive rush to visit as many destinations as possible in as little time as possible, the real rule to keep in mind is prevention.
Despite the fact that the best travel guide on the market does not fail to give dispassionate advice on the medicine kit to take with you and the medical insurance to take out, the enthusiasm of departure tends to get in the way of any extra precautions. Here, one should instead remember: prevention.
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Turning to the practical, what to take with you?
- At least a cortisone cream, a useful ally for soothing insect bites or attacks from micro jellyfish and plankton. It is possible, in fact, that you do not know yourself so well as to know that marine and terrestrial fauna could cause you annoying allergic reactions. So annoying that you may end up in hospital.
- A faithful companion to cortisone is the antihistamine, the only coveted ally that will manage to put you to sleep in the grip of an unmanageable itch.
- For sea adventures such as snorkelling and deeper diving, the advice is to equip yourself with a specific long-sleeved surf shirt. It could save you big trouble with the jellyfish mentioned earlier.
- Getting in and out of the water every other day can prove to be crucial in preventing so-called swimmer's otitis. How? By bathing not too long and not too close together and drying the ears very carefully. Carrying an antibiotic recommended by your general practitioner may not be a bad idea. Infection is always just around the corner.
- Skin emulsion to soothe any burns. The sun is so strong that it overcomes the layers of clothing with which you clumsily try to shield yourself.
- Last bonus tip: for any jungle excursions and afternoons of SUP or kayaking on the countless rivers, take along an insect-repellent spray. Very strong.
If you happen to end up in hospital anyway, the health system in the Philippines is half public and half private. It is advisable to be well-informed about any allergies to medicines that have accompanied your childhood. Any levity on the subject could be fatal.
Illustration by Gloria Dozio - Acrimònia Studios
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