Il report Istat sull’andamento delle vacanze degli italiani

The Istat report on the trend of Italian travel and holidays

The recovery of tourism in 2022

Italian tourism is one of the main industries in the country, and after a period of sharp contraction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 has been a year of recovery for the sector.

The restrictions imposed by various governments to contain the spread of the virus have hit tourism hard, but the arrival of vaccines and the progressive reopening of businesses have meant that the sector gradually regained its pace.

Despite the recovery, Italian tourism numbers are still far from pre-pandemic levels, but sector experts are optimistic and expect constant growth in the coming years.

Domestic tourism has played a major role in the recovery, but overseas tourism has also seen a significant increase in 2022.

Beach holidays remain the favorites of Italians, especially in summer, when the beaches of the Bel Paese are filled with tourists from all over the world.

But also holidays in the mountains, visits to cities of art and food and wine trips are much appreciated by Italians and foreign tourists.

As regards overnight trips, in 2022 there was an increase of 31.6% compared to 2021.

This figure indicates that Italians have returned to travel more frequently, but also that foreign tourists have returned to choosing Italy as a destination for their holidays.

The recovery of tourism has also been favored by the support measures adopted by the Italian government, including the vaccination passport and the various holiday bonuses.

These incentives have encouraged many people to plan their vacations and travel again, thus contributing to the growth of the industry.

Strong recovery in tourist demand

The National Institute of Statistics (Istat) has published data on tourism in Italy in 2022, which show an almost complete recovery of beach holidays compared to pre-pandemic levels. However, the recovery of overseas holidays was less.

Despite this, holidays in the mountains and in the countryside remained stable compared to the previous year, with many Italian tourists choosing to spend their holidays in less crowded places and closer to nature.

In particular, winter holidays to practice a sport, such as skiing or snowboarding, have grown markedly, thanks to the reopening of the ski slopes and the strong demand from tourists.

Food and wine tourism was another growing sector in 2022, with many tourists choosing to visit Italian regions to enjoy local cuisine and taste local wines.

This type of tourism has a positive impact on the local economy, promoting typical products and supporting the commercial and agricultural activities of the region.

Furthermore, many Italian art cities saw an increase in cultural and historical tourism in 2022, with an increase in visits to museums, art galleries and historical monuments.

This type of tourism is important for the promotion of Italian culture and for the enhancement of the country's historical and artistic heritage.

As far as sustainable tourism is concerned, there has been an increase in the demand for eco-friendly travel and stays in tourist facilities with a low environmental impact.

Many Italian tourist businesses are committed to becoming more sustainable, adopting eco-friendly practices and promoting responsible tourism.

Increase in cultural, food and wine and entertainment holidays

2022 has seen an increase in cultural and historical tourism in Italy, with many tourists choosing to dedicate their holidays to visiting the country's cultural heritage.

The Italian cities of art, including Matera, from historic centers to works of art, have been the main destinations chosen by tourists for this type of holiday.

Furthermore, attending events and performances, such as festivals, concerts and exhibitions, was another growing activity in 2022.

Food and wine tourism has also recorded an increase in demand, with many tourists choosing to visit the Italian regions to enjoy the local cuisine and taste the typical wines.

This type of tourism is important for the promotion of Italian culinary culture and for the enhancement of the country's food and wine heritage.

However, despite the growth of these tourist activities, tourism in general still has some way to go to return to pre-pandemic levels.

In fact, cultural holidays, events and entertainment and food and wine tourism still show a decrease compared to 2019, the year before the pandemic.

Despite these factors, Italian tourism is still trying to adapt to the new needs of tourists and to promote the country as a safe and welcoming tourist destination.

Tourism businesses are adopting safety and sanitation measures to ensure the health of tourists and staff, and are promoting sustainable and responsible tourism to reduce the environmental impact of tourism businesses.

Where Italians go and how they move

According to the most recent data, the national average of per capita travel is approaching that recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In particular, the highest value was found in the north-western regions of Italy.

This trend indicates a gradual recovery of the Italian tourism sector, which has suffered a strong negative impact due to the pandemic.

Italians move mainly for pleasure, recreation or rest, but also to visit relatives and friends.

This is a significant figure, which indicates how tourism is often associated with interpersonal relationships and the need to maintain family and social ties.

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of these bonds, and has made many Italians choose to travel to meet the people they care about.

Furthermore, there has been an increase in tourist travel to European Union countries and to non-EU European countries.

This trend could be due to the greater ease of movement within Europe, but also to the desire to discover new tourist destinations and to have new experiences.

However, despite the recovery of the tourism sector, there are still some challenges to face. The pandemic has changed the travel habits of Italians, and many are still reluctant to travel due to fear of contagion.

To face these challenges, the Italian tourism sector is trying to adapt to the new needs of tourists and to promote sustainable and responsible tourism.

Many tourism businesses are adopting sanitation and safety measures to ensure the health of tourists and staff, and are promoting sustainable tourism to reduce the environmental impact of tourism businesses.

The most visited Italian regions

According to the latest surveys of the Istat report, the six most visited Italian regions are Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Lombardy, Lazio and Campania. These regions are among the most attractive for tourists, thanks to their scenic beauty, cultural and historical richness, and the variety of tourist activities on offer.

In particular, Tuscany is one of the most visited regions in Italy, thanks to its art cities, hilly landscapes and beaches on the Tyrrhenian coast.

Emilia-Romagna, on the other hand, is known for its gastronomy and for the beauty of its cities of art such as Bologna, Ferrara and Ravenna.

Veneto is famous for its cities of art such as Venice and Verona, but also for the mountains of the Dolomites and the Adriatic coast.

Lombardy is a very varied region, which offers both cities of art such as Milan and Bergamo, and places of great natural beauty such as Lake Como and Lake Garda.

Lazio is famous for Rome and its archaeological treasures, while Campania is known for the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and the ruins of Pompeii.

During the winter holidays, Trentino Alto Adige once again becomes the most popular region, thanks to the presence of the ski slopes of the Dolomites.

This region also offers many opportunities for cultural and naturalistic tourism, with numerous places of interest such as natural parks and museums.

As far as business travel is concerned, there has been an increase in travel to Lombardy, which is one of the most economically important regions of Italy.

Milan, in particular, is one of the most visited cities for business reasons, thanks to the presence of numerous companies and important institutional offices.

Holidays abroad

According to the most recent data, Italians are returning to travel abroad and the most popular destinations are Spain, France, Croatia and Greece.

These countries offer a great variety of tourist activities, from the sea to the mountains, from history to culture.

In particular, France is the preferred destination for short breaks, thanks to its geographical proximity and the beauty of its cities of art such as Paris, Bordeaux and Marseille.

Spain, on the other hand, is the preferred choice for longer holidays, thanks to the mild climate and the natural and cultural beauties of the country.

Croatia and Greece are two increasingly popular destinations among Italians, thanks to their natural beauty and great tourist offer.

Croatia, with its beaches and cities of art such as Dubrovnik and Split, has become one of the favorite destinations for seaside tourism.

Greece, with its islands, its archaeological sites and its traditional cuisine, is instead an increasingly popular destination for cultural and gastronomic tourism.

In general, Italians are returning to travel abroad with greater confidence.

However, it is important to note that there are still some travel restrictions in place in many countries, which may affect your choice of tourist destinations.

Preferred accommodation and means of transport

According to the latest surveys on the habits of Italian tourists, private accommodation is still very popular, but there is a growing preference for hotels.

This could be due to greater attention to safety and the quality of the service offered.

However, private accommodation such as holiday homes and apartments continue to be a very popular choice among Italian tourists, especially for holidays with family or friends.

These lodgings offer greater flexibility and freedom than hotel facilities, and are often equipped with a kitchen and outdoor spaces.

As far as means of transport are concerned, the car remains the preferred means for Italians to move around during their holidays, especially for national destinations.

However, there is a growth in air and train travel, especially for international destinations or cities of art.

The train, in particular, is becoming increasingly popular among Italian tourists, thanks to the greater attention to sustainability and the convenience of this means of transport.

Many Italian cities are well connected by the railway network, and traveling by train can be a pleasant and relaxing experience.

Furthermore, it is important to underline that the pandemic has changed the travel habits of Italians, and has led many to opt for alternative solutions such as slow tourism or itinerant tourism.

These forms of tourism offer the possibility to discover new destinations in a more sustainable and conscious way, and to live an authentic and unique experience.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the Istat report underlines a significant recovery of tourism in Italy in 2022, with an increase in beach holidays, cultural, food and wine and entertainment holidays, and tourist trips abroad.

The most visited Italian regions are Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Lombardy, Lazio and Campania, while Italians move mainly for pleasure, recreation or rest and for visits to relatives and friends.