The winter season opens with mixed news for the Italian tourism sector. According to the latest estimates by Demoskopika, reported in advance by ANSA, a drop in tourist flows is expected, with 26.7 million arrivals and 78 million presences. These data mark a decrease of 1.3% and 2.8% respectively compared to the same period of the previous year.
Compared to 2019, however, the situation appears more stable: arrivals show a slight decline of 0.6%, while presences record a growth of 5.1%. Tourism spending, estimated at 20.5 billion, shows a decrease of 4.4% compared to last winter. The decline is particularly evident among foreign tourists, with 11 million arrivals (-3.6%) and 37 million overnight stays (-5.2%).
Unlike the international market, domestic tourism is showing signs of resilience. With approximately 15.8 million expected arrivals and a modest growth of 0.3%, it represents 59.2% of the total. Despite this, a slight decline in attendance is expected in 2025 with estimates of around 41.2 million, equal to 0.5%. Regions such as Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Lombardy are confirmed as among the most attractive thanks to their renowned infrastructures and tradition in winter tourism. On the contrary, destinations such as Umbria and Tuscany shine for their cultural and naturalistic offerings.
According to Demoskopika, Alpine resorts will continue to be a reference for winter tourism thanks to snow sports and advanced facilities. However, the regions of Central Italy could benefit from targeted investments to fill the gap with other areas. For the southern regions and Italian islands such as Sardinia and Sicily, there is significant potential to be developed through adequate infrastructure and promotional events spread throughout the year.
In conclusion, while the winter season presents challenges for tourism in Italy, there are also opportunities to improve the overall offer. Strategic investments and a focus on promoting less visited areas could prove crucial to revitalize a sector that is fundamental to the national economy.
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