Visitor numbers rose in the first half of 2026, driven above all by foreign tourists. Tourism Minister Mazzi: 'The sector remains a pillar of the national economy.'
Tourism reaches record levels in 2026, as confirmed by the Interior Ministry: Calabria is out in front, but Sardinia will also see an 8.24% increase in arrivals, a genuine boom in foreign visitors.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Tourism data comes mainly from monitoring of the Interior Ministry’s Alloggiati Web (source in Italian) platform, combined with official statistics from the Ministry of Tourism and Istat.
What online booking platform occupancy rates tell us about Italy
Italy confirms once again that it is the most popular European destination, including for the summer of 2026.
The OTA occupancy rate, that is how full accommodation facilities are on online platforms, stands at 51.2%, higher than competitors such as Spain (42.8%) and France (32.9%), while the average rate (153 euros) is lower than in Spain (170) and Greece (195).
In particular, according to data from the Statistics Office of the Ministry of Tourism, the highest occupancy rates are recorded in Veneto (57.5%), Emilia-Romagna (56.7%) and the autonomous provinces of Trento (55.7%) and Bolzano (54.9%).
They are followed by Friuli Venezia Giulia (53.7%), Sicily (53.3%) and Tuscany (52.5%), all above the national average.
In June and July the occupancy rate increases by 13.4% and 10% respectively compared with the same period last year.
Tourism is not only about the sea: lake areas show the highest level of occupancy (54%), followed by spa and seaside resorts (both at 51%).
Here growth is almost twice the national average, which is just under 4.5%.
Interior Ministry figures confirm that 2026 will be a golden year for tourism in Italy, and in particular in Sardinia.
Which regions saw the strongest growth in tourist arrivals in 2026
In the first half of 2026 there was a significant increase in arrivals across the country, up 4.43% on the same period in 2025.
Here is the ranking of the regions that recorded the biggest rises in tourist arrivals in 2026:
- Calabria
- Umbria
- Piedmont
- Sardinia
- Puglia
- Liguria
Calabria (+10.54%), Umbria (+9.70%) and Piedmont (+9.22%) lead the way; Sardinia (+8.24%), Puglia (+7.43%) and Liguria also perform well.
International arrivals from abroad are up 6.45% (with outstanding performances in Calabria +23.19%, Puglia +14.63%, Abruzzo +14.04%, Molise +13.14%, Basilicata +11.55%, Sardinia +11.44%, Piedmont +10.38%), and domestic arrivals are up 1.97%, with peaks in Umbria (+13.64%) and Liguria (+8.89%).
There is particularly significant growth in non-hotel tourism (+7.46%), while hotel facilities have seen a 2.27% increase.
Why tourism is a pillar of Italy’s national economy
'These figures confirm that, in a world of global challenges, Italy’s tourism sector continues to post record results. The sector is proving ever more strategic and is confirming its role as a pillar of the national economy. The ministry will continue to invest and to look to the future with optimism,' explains Tourism Minister Gianmarco Mazzi.
'Italy is at the top of European tourism, a result that recognises the beauty of our country, the quality of our offer and the hard work of the entire tourism sector,' said a satisfied Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
'My thanks go to the entrepreneurs, workers and professionals in the sector who every day help make Italy a destination that is increasingly attractive and competitive. The government will continue to play its part in supporting a sector that is strategic for our economy and for the country’s growth,' the prime minister concluded.
