Homemade outfits, special deals at Venice carnival

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TOURISM HIT
Italy, known worldwide for a rich cultural heritage that includes the Colosseum in Rome and Uffizi Gallery in Florence, has seen its tourist sector hit by the crisis.

The industry lost 1.7 billion euros last year and for now has cut 75,000 jobs, according to association Federalberghi Confturismo. It is looking at 2010 with "total uncertainty".

The Venice Carnival began centuries ago as a period of excess before Lent, the 40 days of fasting that traditionally precede Easter. Venetians could then hide their identities behind masks and do as they pleased.

Today visitors fill Venice's narrow streets taking pictures of outfits on display. The rich usually enjoy themselves with lavish dinners and parties.

Vittorio Bonacini, chairman of the Venice Hotel Association, said the first weekend of the carnival had gone "not as bad as expected" in terms of room bookings and many hotels were working on promotional deals to attract customers.

"Compared to last year, I can say that the amount of people staying in hotels is about the same but the income made will be inferior to last year's," he said.

About 1 million people came to the carnival in 2009 and Rosa Salva hopes this year's event can match that number, especially if the weather is good.

Nash, for one, is looking forward to a wild week.

"For me, it's a once in a lifetime experience -- the expense, the effort is so much," she said. "It's a good week ... I know there's a credit crunch but go for it when you can."