The Italian tourism industry is looking ahead to 2026 with cautious optimism. This is indicated by recent surveys from Unioncamere and the Istituto Nazionale Ricerche Turistiche (ISNART), which have released preliminary indicators for the current season. Following a stable 2025, the positive trend continues, with solid booking figures, growing international demand, and clear momentum driven by major events.
A Solid Start to the Year and Stable Occupancy
Already in the first months of the year, the average occupancy rate of accommodation establishments, including hotels, holiday resorts, and other types of lodging, reached around half of available capacity. For the industry, this is an important signal that demand remains viable even outside the traditional peak season. Early reservations are also providing planning certainty in many regions of the country. 2025 had already achieved a remarkable level : the number of overnight stays moved at a very high level, accompanied by an overall economic impact running into three-digit billions. Beyond accommodation and dining, the leisure sector, cultural offerings and local producers are increasingly benefiting from tourism demand.
Tourism: Major Events as Growth Drivers
A key driver in 2026 is international large-scale events. The Holy Year in Rome and the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina are raising global attention for Italy as a travel destination. High booking levels in the affected regions are already visible in advance. Such events do not only have short-term effects. They strengthen infrastructure, improve international visibility, and can generate lasting image benefits. Regions that are in the spotlight of global media frequently benefit from a sustainably elevated level of demand well beyond the event year itself.
International Guests and New Travel Trends
A significant share of tourist overnight stays continues to come from guests traveling from abroad, particularly from Germany, France, and Switzerland. International visitors spend above average on cultural offerings, dining, and authentic experiences. This is shifting value creation increasingly toward quality-oriented offerings and regional identity. At the same time, booking behavior is changing. More and more travelers are using digital tools and artificial intelligence applications to compare destinations, analyze prices, or create personalized travel itineraries . For Italian providers, this means investing more heavily in digital visibility, data competency, and personalized offerings. Overall, the current indicators paint a positive picture. Italian tourism is entering 2026 with a stable foundation, strong international demand, and event-driven momentum. The decisive question will be whether this momentum can be sustained and developed further in terms of quality over the long term.
Tourism: Only Early Indicators Available for 2026 So Far
For the current year 2026, only early indicators are available at this time. Between January and April, the average occupancy rate of accommodation establishments reached around 50 percent of available capacity. This figure is considered a solid signal for a stable start to the season, particularly given that the main travel season has yet to begin. Concrete overall figures for overnight stays or revenues for 2026 are, naturally, not yet available. For context: in 2025, Italy recorded approximately 891 million overnight stays with an estimated total economic impact of 108.8 billion euros. This strong foundation serves as the reference point for projections for the current year. Current indicators suggest that 2026 could at least match this level , supported in particular by international demand and major events.