Strong growth in Italian tourism: +7.3% presences in the official accommodation system in 2023, with 3.3 million foreign tourists expected.

The tourist season is about to resume in Italy and the forecasts seem to be very positive. According to a survey conducted by Cst for Assoturismo Confesercenti on a sample of 1,703 Italian hospitality businesses, bookings for the Easter holidays are already 65% of the accommodation available in accommodation facilities.

Despite the unfavorable weather forecasts, an estimated 469,000 more visitors than the previous year, with an increase in both Italian and foreign tourists. In fact, 3.3 million foreign tourists are expected over the Easter weekend, 49% of the total and 12.1% more than last year. On the other hand, the demand from Italian tourists is estimated at 3.4 million presences, but could recover if the weather forecast improves.

The regions of central Italy appear to be the most attractive for tourists, with an expected increase of 9.3% compared to the previous year. The north-east regions follow with 7.2%, the south-island regions with 7.7% and the north-west with 5.4%. Also for the upcoming Easter holidays, cities and art centers will be the preferred destinations for foreign and Italian tourists, with a 12% increase in attendance compared to the previous year.

In general, hotel companies expect an 8.2% increase in bookings, with a significant increase in foreign tourists of 13.7%. The non-hotel sector also expects a 6.2% increase in bookings, especially from foreign tourists.

While the majority of Italian demand will be in coastal and spa resorts, it seems that foreign tourists will mainly visit cities and art centres, lake areas, mountain resorts and rural and hilly areas. Above all, they expect German, French, British, US, Swiss, Dutch, Austrian and Polish visitors, which will partially compensate for the still missing shares of markets such as those of China, Russia, Japan, Australia, South Korea, India, Brazil and Canada .

The president of Assoturismo Confesercenti, Vittorio Messina, commented positively on the situation, stating that the recovery of Italian tourism is continuing and that tourism is a strategic and fundamental sector for the growth of the entire Italian economy. These encouraging data bode well for the spring bridges and for the continuation of 2023.

Tasse d'accesso richieste per alcune mete dal 2023

Tourism in Italy is growing: 6.7 million people are expected for the Easter holidays

However, despite the positive data, the Italian tourism sector will still face some challenges.

Firstly, the uncertainty related to the pandemic situation and border restrictions could still limit the mobility of tourists, both Italian and foreign. Furthermore, competition with other European and international countries remains strong, with many of them investing in marketing and infrastructure to attract visitors.

In this context, it is becoming increasingly important for Italian tourism companies to focus on the quality of the services offered and on innovation, in order to differentiate themselves from the competition and attract visitors.

In particular, the use of digital technologies and sustainable solutions could offer new growth opportunities.

Furthermore, the tourism sector could benefit from greater collaboration between companies and public institutions, in order to develop integrated tourist packages and to improve the infrastructure and services offered to visitors.

In summary, the positive data on bookings for the upcoming Easter holidays represent excellent news for the Italian tourism sector, which is gradually recovering after the pandemic crisis.

However, to continue on this growth trajectory, Italian tourism companies will have to face some challenges and invest in quality, innovation and collaboration to differentiate themselves from the competition and offer unique experiences to visitors.