ROMA (ITALPRESS) – Italy is a favorite destination for foreign travelers to spend Christmas holidays. From the cities of art to the mountains, there are those who also enjoy a few days on the coast, the Belpaese attracts visitors from all over the world. According to the latest estimates Enit, in fact, 4 million foreign airport tourists are already booked between December and January, for an expense of 3.5 billion (these travellers will then add those arriving with other carriers). Numerous Italians who have already booked a flight for internal travel, over 400 thousand. In detail, in December there will be 2.4 million airport arrivals from abroad, thus recording an increase of 6.1% compared to Christmas 2024; growth trend that will continue to January 2026 when already 1,9 million arrivals booked in Italian ports (+4.4% compared to January 25). Results that place our country in front of realities such as France and Turkey, second only to Spain.
The Statistical Office of the Ministry of Tourism takes the photograph of an Italian that, under a national average saturation of 35.7% between 1 December 2025 and 11 January 2026, is polycentric and diversified for the upcoming winter holidays: the mountain tow the demand for end of the year, with a booking rate of 46.6%, thanks above all to the performance of Trentino-Alto Adige (48.36%), Valle d’Aosta (45.7%) and Umbria (40.18%); the cities of art and the great cultural regions – on all Lazio (over 1.6 million reservations OTA), Lombardy and Veneto (over 1 million) – remain essential for volumes; the South gains ground, showing signs of consolidation, especially with Calabria (+6.7% of the rate of saturation OTA on the same period of 2024), Molise (+5.7%) and Basilicata (+4.2%) that guide the growth and rebalance of flows. “Even for the winter holidays, Italy confirms its irresistible charm, with millions of visitors who choose it as a frame to live the magic of Christmas and New Year, impacting, between December and January, for 3.5 billion euros on our economy”, says the Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè.
“The Belpaese, from North to South, consolidates its privileged tourist destination role in the European market, performing better than competitors such as France and Turkey. Important results, made possible also by the catalyst of the Olympic Games of Milan Cortina 2026, which thus begins to generate the first fruits. On the other hand, it is no coincidence that, on the podium of the great destinations, Milan and Venice are, respectively, the first and third place for airports and Lombardy and Veneto at the first positions for reservations OTA. The great events, once again, are constituted as important tourist and socio-economic development engines for the host cities and regions and, by extension, for the whole nation”, concludes the minister. “Italy confirms its leading role in tourism in this last phase of the year. Between Christmas and New Year we record a significant growth compared to last year of arrivals from abroad, demonstrating how competitive and attractive our destinations are. A constant trend throughout the year, which consolidates the strength of our country in the sector,” says Ivana Jelinic, Ad di Enit.
“We place ourselves in front of historical competitors like France and Turkey even during these holidays, contributing to generate value on the territories, increasing the economic and employment growth of the entire tourist induced,” he concludes. Among the main markets that choose to spend Christmas and New Year in Italy, svettano Spain (611 thousand airport arrivals), United Kingdom (about 585 thousand), France (328 thousand) and Germany (308 thousand). The arrivals from Poland, Albania, Romania, the Netherlands and Belgium are also growing. Among the great destinations chosen dominate Milan (1.6 million arrivals in the city steps) and Rome (1.2), followed by Venice (almost half a million arrivals), Naples and Bologna.
– photos of repertoire IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
