Over 6 Million Italians to Travel for Christmas Despite Economic Uncertainty

Despite economic uncertainty, more than six million Italians are planning to travel for Christmas. A significant portion will remain within Italy, while others venture to European capitals and beyond.

Domestic Travel Preferences

The majority, 83%, will stay in Italy, with 25% opting for destinations near their home regions. Approximately one million Italians will travel to European capitals or countries outside of Europe.

Short Stays and Accommodation Choices

A significant 60% of these vacations will be brief, lasting only one or two nights. While 29% will stay in hotels, 40% will choose to stay with friends and family or in second homes.

Popular Destinations and Travel Companions

Mountains top the list of preferred destinations at 20%, followed by coastal locations and art cities. Most Italians, 59%, will travel as couples, 36% with their children, and 11% will travel alone.

Average Spending

The average anticipated expenditure is around 390 euros per person.

Industry Insights

Manfred Pinzger, president of Confturismo Confcommercio, notes the data confirms the strength of domestic tourism. He emphasizes the need to support tourism businesses through policies promoting investment, innovation, and training to meet increasing demands and contribute to economic growth.

"The data on Christmas departures confirms the solidity of domestic tourism demand and the central role of tourism. The prevailing choice of short holidays demonstrates how Italians continue to travel, adapting the duration and mode of stay to an economic context that is still attentive to costs," says Manfred Pinzger, president of Confturismo Confcommercio.

Inbound Tourism

Art centers, cultural events, Christmas markets, and mountain destinations are popular for inbound travelers. Overall, tourism in Italy is expected to grow, supported by international demand.

Expected Growth and International Impact

Total presences are estimated to increase by 1.3%, totaling around 17.6 million. International visitors are expected to contribute dynamically, with a 3.1% increase (8.1 million presences), raising their market share to 46% of the total.

Domestic Travelers

Italians remain the majority, with 9.5 million presences expected and a stable trend.

Potential Last-Minute Bookings

According to a survey by the Centro Studi Turistici di Firenze for Assoturismo Confesercenti, last-minute demand could further strengthen the outlook.

Here's a summary of the expected changes in tourism by destination type:

Destination Preferences

Cities and art centers remain primary attractions due to a rich calendar of events. Mountains also show positive signals. Other types of locations show slight increases or stability.

Accommodation Trends

The estimated variation favors non-hotel accommodations (+2.2%), while the expected growth for the hotel sector is +1%.

Here's a table summarizing the expected changes in tourism by region:

Territorial Trends

There are differentiated but positive trends across territories: Center (+2%), North West (+1.8%), North East (+1%), South and Islands (+0.4%).

Industry Perspective

Vittorio Messina, president of Assoturismo Confesercenti, highlights the dynamic nature of tourism and the importance of deseasonalization, emphasizing the need to address connectivity issues to fully leverage the potential of southern destinations during the winter holidays.

"Tourism remains dynamic even at this time of year, with a clear boost in art cities and typical winter destinations," comments Vittorio Messina, president of Assoturismo Confesercenti. "It is an important signal: deseasonalization continues and must be consolidated, transforming the demand of these months into a structural opportunity for businesses and territories."

Here’s a comparison of the number of Italian travelers versus foreign travelers:

Tourism Spending Breakdown

Here's a table summarizing the average spending and travel group types:

Key Factors Influencing Travel Decisions

Below are the main factors influencing travel decisions according to the report:

Here's a more detailed overview of accommodation preferences among travelers:

Impact of the Winter Season on Tourism

Tourism sees a significant boost in art cities and typical winter destinations. This trend highlights the importance of leveraging seasonal demand to create structural opportunities for businesses and regions. Overcoming connectivity challenges is crucial to fully realize the potential of Southern destinations during the winter holidays.