Italy expects record number of passengers this summer

Rome: Italy expects a record number of passengers to reach its territory this summer, after a few non-usual Italian summers with fewer tourists caused by the Coronavirus pandemic since 2020.

Data from the Italian Ministry of Tourism revealed that the number of airport passengers estimated to have reached the country in the month of June alone is at least 1,844,000, with 84 per cent hailing from international destinations and 16 per cent representing Italian travellers.

Such data also show that June alone is expected to witness a remarkable rise of +8.6 per cent compared to the previous year, with about 944,000 visitors setting foot on Italian soil, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

According to these data, between January and March 2023, there was a remarkable increase of +86 per cent in international tourism compared to the corresponding period in 2022.

As a result, approximately 235 million travellers embarked on journeys abroad during this time, indicating a flourishing and enthusiastic interest in exploring new destinations.

In addition, Italy attracts over 15 million international travellers, experiencing a notable surge of +42.0 per cent compared to 2022 and demonstrating a remarkable recovery of 87.7 per cent compared to the same period in 2019.

The allure of Italy lies in its appeal as a favoured holiday destination, with around 30 per cent of travellers seeking leisure and relaxation.

Moreover, Italy entices visitors for work-related purposes, accounting for 21.4 per cent of travellers. Additionally, people choose Italy to visit their loved ones, constituting 14.6 per cent of the total, while shopping enthusiasts make up 11.8 per cent of the visitors to the country.

Further figures revealed that most international flows to Italy, accounting for 71.7 per cent, originate from European Union countries, with France and Germany being the primary contributors. A significant portion, around 18.3 per cent, comes from non-European countries, with the United Kingdom leading the list.

Based on the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) report, during the first quarter of 2023, international arrivals in Italy reached 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. This represents a 20 per cent decline compared to January-March 2019.

However, Europe has shown resilience with only a ten per cent decrease in arrivals, while the Middle East has experienced a notable growth of 15 per cent.

Italy holds a strong appeal for American travellers, making the United States the primary market of origin for air passengers to Italy. As a result, Americans account for about 26.3 per cent of the total foreign travellers expected to visit Italy during the summer quarter.

Following the US, France (6.1 per cent) and Spain (4.7 per cent) occupy the second and third spots, collectively contributing to an 11 per cent share.

In addition to the top three, Australia (4.1 per cent) secures the fifth position, while Canada (3.8 per cent) ranks seventh among overseas travellers to Italy. Brazil (2.8 per cent), South Korea (1.9 per cent), and Argentina (1.7 per cent) also make it into the top ten.

Regarding the average length of stay, Australians tend to stay the longest, with an average of 25 nights, followed by Argentines, with nearly 20 nights. Canadians and Brazilians typically spend around 15 nights, while American visitors generally stay for approximately 12 nights.

The majority of travellers arriving in Italy do so in pairs, with airline bookings predominantly made for two passengers, accounting for 32.3 per cent of bookings. Small groups of three to five people make up 28.3 per cent of airline bookings, while individual travellers represent 27.3 per cent.

In terms of airport arrivals, Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Milan’s airports are expected to handle an equal share of approximately 80 per cent of international arrivals.

Regarding accommodation, online bookings show high saturation levels in June, with over 40 0 per cent of facilities already booked. Among the different types of destinations, the lake sector is the most favoured for the summer quarter.

The seaside follows closely with 33.7 per cent, the mountain and spa sectors with 30.2 per cent and 27 per cent, respectively, below the overall national average.