RIMINI (ITALPRESS) – A press conference was held at the Sicilian Region’s stand at the TTG Travel Experience trade fair in Rimini by the Councillor for Tourism, Sports and Entertainment, Elvira Amata. In a stand with a cinematic set design of nearly 1,000 square meters, the Councillor presented data on tourism trends in Sicily in the first part of 2024, along with the strategies implemented for an increasingly harmonious and profitable extension of the high season and a consequent containment of the phenomenon of overtourism.
During the first half of 2024, accommodation facilities in Sicily, accounted for over 6 million 294 thousand presences (+3.2% compared to the same period in 2023). This figure does not include the presences recorded in the facilities belonging to the “short rentals” typology, which continues to expand strongly on the Island, and which in the first six months of 2024, recorded over 1 million 834 thousand presences (+50.7% on the 2023 figure).
The foreign component traditionally drives the sector: if short rentals are excluded, foreign presences, in the data period (January-June) amounted to 3,374,541 in 2024 (+6.7% compared to 2023) while the domestic component underwent a quantifiable decrease in 0.5%.
Looking at short-term rentals alone, in 2024, foreign admissions cover about 72 percent of total category admissions with an increase of 45.7 percent compared to the first six months of 2023. In absolute terms, between 2023 and 2024, foreign presences increased from 904,986 to 1,318,546 (+413,560 or +45.7 percent). In contrast to the findings for classified accommodations (hotels and non-hotels) for short rentals, there are also increases in Italian presences, which grew slightly more than 50 percent from 342,635 to 516,308 during the period under review.
This demonstrates a growing demand for temporary lodging that competes strongly with traditional forms of lodging (hotels and other traditional types of accommodation).
Considering, therefore, the entire range of accommodation on the island (traditional facilities and short-term rentals), the total presences recorded in Sicily in the period between January and June 2024 amount to about 8 million 183 thousand and detect a growth of 11.4 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
If we consider only the summer months, and net of short rentals, the provisional data collected in the June-August period show, for 2024, decreases in the total number of overnight stays in the Island’s accommodation facilities. In percentage terms, these contractions are on the order of -3.6 percent. Disaggregating the data by client nationality, the summer period would seem to be characterized by an increase in the presence of foreigners (+2.7 percent compared to the same period in 2023) and a sharp contraction of Italians, who, in equal time, register a loss of 8.2 percentage points in terms of overnight stays. In contrast, for short-term rentals, double-digit increases, around 20 percent, are recorded for both arrivals and stays.
In this regard, Councillor Elvira Amata stresses, “We consider this figure indicative of a structural change in the composition of tourist flows affecting the region but, rather, the result of a “frictional” problem related to the lack of timeliness of accommodation facilities in fulfilling the transmission of data and therefore, as mentioned earlier, a response rate that is not yet optimal.”
Another interesting aspect that emerges from the analysis of the most recent data is that it responds to one of the general objectives of regional planning, namely the lengthening of the tourist season and the diversification of tourism supply. In this sense, the provisional data for the first six months of 2024 seem to confirm a trend already noted in the post-pandemic years: tourist flows affecting the region are no longer concentrated exclusively in the typically summer months but are better distributed over the various months of the year and are characterized by remarkable percentage increases especially in the low season months – and macroscopically from January to March – with the foreign component of presences registering increases exceeding 20 percent compared to the figure for the same months of the previous year.
With 4 million 663 thousand presences (+5.5 percent over the first half of 2023, of which more than half were foreigners, +9.8 percent over the 2023 figure) in the first six months of 2024, the hotel sector dominates the regional receptivity panorama, actually driving the entire receptive sector due to a suffering of the non-hotel sector, which, in the data period, shows slight overall contractions in both arrivals and presences.
Another interesting aspect that emerges from the analysis of the most recent data is that it responds to one of the general objectives of regional planning, namely the lengthening of the tourist season and the diversification of tourist offerings. In this sense, the provisional data for the first eight months of 2024 seem to confirm a trend already noted in the post-pandemic years: tourist flows affecting the Region are no longer concentrated exclusively in the typically summer months but are better distributed over the various months of the year and are characterized by remarkable percentage increases especially in the low season months – and macroscopically from January to March – with the foreign component of presences always registering double-digit increases, with peaks exceeding 24 percent. This is the case for the month of March 2024 for which the provisional data in our possession detect a 24.5 percent increase in foreign presences compared to March 2023. A similar trend is recorded for Italians albeit with lower growth rates. Thus, Councillor Amata confirms, “This is a figure that we have been noting with increasing evidence in recent years and shows that we are working in the right direction with respect to the programmatic objectives set.”
Seasonal adjustment is a strategic objective of regional planning on which the Administration continues to invest energy and resources. It is noted, thanks to the planned actions, a flow of tourists no longer concentrated exclusively in the typically summer months, as in the past, but better distributed in the various months of the year and characterized by remarkable percentage increases especially in the low season months – and macroscopically from January to March – especially for the foreign component, which shows increases that exceed 20% compared to the figure for the same months of the previous year. A tourist offer increasingly extended to all months of the year with respect to a destination that lends itself by its nature and particular favorable climatic conditions, to contribute to this objective. An approach that has already yielded its positive results thanks to specific actions declined, as noted on the occasion of manifestations and/or events specially programmed in certain periods of low seasonality, which have recorded an objective increase in tourist presences. In this regard we mention: Sicilia Jazz Festival, Coppa degli Assi, Sacred Music Week, Bellini Celebrations, Historical Trains, etc. A methodological approach that constantly accompanies the Department’s action with respect to other areas of competence as well.
The Region’s planning is as inclusive and complete as ever with a vision strongly oriented to profile a tourism offer as integrated as possible within which each tourist segment responds to the different needs of the tourist and, in particular, the food and wine and cultural segments have a strategic character with respect to both the actions defined and those being defined.
Food and wine is an integral part of the intangible cultural heritage of the Island, which, transmitted from generation to generation, strengthens the sense of cultural and social belonging, and allows travelers to get in touch with the culture of places through their culinary and wine traditions.
The promotion of typical food and wine products at initiatives planned in the area with the involvement of local governments and the tourism supply chain, and at sector Exchanges and Fairs scheduled within the institutional stand of the Department set up from time to time is always constant.
Of interest is the pilot project entitled “The Ways of Lava and the Flavors of the Nebrodi,” which is currently underway and with which the Department has presented and obtained €1,470,000 in funding from the Ministry of Tourism for this innovative project that aims to enhance local products and Sicilian territorial traditions, recomposing the link between food, wine and landscape. The goal is to promote experiential tourism, focusing on the rediscovery of traditional flavors and knowledge, contextualizing them within the historical and cultural riches of two symbolic areas of Sicily: the Nebrodi and Mount Etna. These territories, rich in scenic beauty and extraordinary biodiversity, are the ideal stage for a sensory journey to discover the excellence of the Mediterranean Diet. The project includes 7 days dedicated to the discovery of the Nebrodi and as many on the slopes of Etna, through food and wine routes that celebrate local peculiarities. The initiative includes guided tours, conferences, tastings, and workshops involving experts, chefs and entrepreneurs. Traveling events will be organized in agritourisms, wineries and wine museums to immerse visitors in the heart of Sicilian culinary and wine traditions.
Special focus will be given to the Oenotourism Show and the Travel & Taste Show, two international events that will promote the authenticity of the Sicilian territory by involving accommodations, wineries and restaurants, in a wide network of events. Among the most anticipated events are show cooking with internationally renowned chefs, workshops with sommeliers, and press tours for Italian and international journalists.
Thanks to the participation of more than 250 establishments and the realization of 30 events in different locations, this project not only boosts deseasonalized tourism, but also confirms Sicily as an ideal destination for food and wine tourism. A unique opportunity to get to know and experience local culture and identity up close.
Of a land rich in history and flavors, through a journey through vineyards, wineries, traditions and natural beauty. A pilot project that will lay the foundations to materialize further initiatives always in this direction that will be defined with the new programming, also in relation to the interest aroused by neighboring territories that have already expressed interest in joining other initiatives.
As for cultural tourism, this is a segment of particular relevance to which the Department is devoting significant attention through specific actions.
There are also numerous actions in collaboration with the Regional Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity that have borne fruit in actions such as “Amphitheater Sicily,” an interdepartmental agreement, now consolidated over time, aimed at encouraging the circulation of shows and events within the sites of major tourist and cultural interest.
There is strong support for the development of theatrical activities in favor of entities with public participation (Teatro Massimo Vincenzo Bellini of Catania and Ente Autonomo regionale Teatro “Vittorio Emanuele” of Messina, Fondazione Teatro Massimo Palermo, Fondazione Taormina Arte, Fondazione Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, Fondazione The Brass Group, Fondazione Istituto di Alta Cultura Orestiadi, Fondazione Teatro Pirandello and INDA; Teatro Stabile Città di Catania and Teatro Biondo Stabile of Palermo. There is also no shortage of support for the activities of the musical and theatrical of the Entities and Associations of a private nature, and all of this has the aim of enriching the cultural and musical offerings to be addressed to the large audience of spectators and the many tourists in the area.
For the first time, a calendar of events of great tourist appeal has been prepared on a biennial basis with the aim of promoting the initiatives well in advance.
Finally, a public notice is being prepared aimed at strengthening the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation.
This notice will cover both interventions to improve access and usability of sites and itineraries, including for the benefit of the disadvantaged, and initiatives to promote experiential tourism.
Interventions related to light infrastructure endowments and/or services to improve access to and enjoyment of year-round usable tourist itineraries; the design, implementation and promotion of innovative tourist routes; and the creation, development and enhancement of eco-sustainable tourist services will be eligible. Finally, both territorial public bodies and institutions and bodies under public law as well as associations, cooperatives and organizations such as NGOs and NPOs will be beneficiaries.
An increasingly present element within the actions declined by the Department is synergy aimed at further fostering a strongly shared approach on the territory within the entire tourism chain. This element is also extended to the relevant branches of the Administration (Infrastructure, Agriculture, Territory and Environment, Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity) and to Local Administrations that must constitute privileged territorial references for the identification of the specificities and peculiarities that each territory offers within the regional dimension towards new products strongly linked to sustainable and experiential tourism models more consistent with the new trends and choices of the tourist.
Also present at the Sicilian Region’s stand were the island’s DMOs and airports, as well as organizations such as the Strada delle Ceramiche, Gal Terra Barocca Modica and the Messina Tourism Bureau Consortium, again with the aim of strengthening an approach already consolidated at other Exchanges and Trade Fairs to try to ensure an increasing coverage of the island’s territory by promoting the Sicily brand in a more coordinated manner and ensuring the most extensive representation of the different territories.
– photo press office Open Mind Consulting –
(ITALPRESS).
TTG in Rimini, tourism in Sicily continues to grow
