Premier Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday slammed opposition claims that Italy's tourist industry is in crisis amid reports of a sharp drop in beach-goers due to higher prices of sunbeds and beach umbrellas.
Meloni said the claims made by figures including Elly Schlein, leader of the largest opposition group the Democratic Party (PD), were false.
"I find it shameful that, in order to attack the government, certain opposition figures spread false news, damaging Italy's image and interests," Meloni said.
"In recent days, among other statements, Democratic Party Secretary Elly Schlein also implied that Italian tourism was in crisis.
"It's a shame that, just hours after her statement, official data from the Interior Ministry—taken from the State Police's 'Alloggiati web' database—certified the exact opposite, with rising arrivals and millions of visitors to our accommodation facilities.
