The love affair with Italy is over

I was afraid it might come to this. I saw it coming. And now, there is no denying the present backlash against Italy. In a few short months, certain disturbing events in Italy such as the murder conviction of Amanda Knox, the brutal beating of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, the attack on Pope Benedict during midnight mass, the "cleansing" of illegal immigrants referred to as operation "White Christmas" in a northern Italian town, the discovery that even Italian pasta makers are accused of racketeering, and measures taken against thieving taxi drivers have knocked Italy off of her former pedestal in the world of top tourist destinations. Once perhaps the most visited country in the world, now people are crossing Italy off their "to visit" lists in favor of destinations that are perceived as being less risky and costly.

Can you blame them for losing the love for Italy? And more importantly, how can Italy get the love back?