GENOVA (ITALPRESS) – Liguria earns four positions and climbs sixth among the Italian regions with seaside offer in the rankings elaborated by the Italian Observatory JFC as part of the report “Panorama Turismo-Mare Italia 2026”. The region reaches 982 votes, behind Emilia-Romagna, Sardinia, Sicily, Puglia and Tuscany, confirming a significant growth of its ability to attract on the national market. The JFC report takes pictures every year of the evolution of Italian bathing destinations and trends in tourist demand. The regional result is accompanied by that of different Ligurian towns. Alassio enters the Top 20 national of the most appreciated seaside destinations by the Italians, conquering the 19th place with 1,381 votes. In the relationship there are also Lerici among the destinations associated with relaxation and tranquility, Varazze, which earns eight positions in the same ranking, and still Portofino, Alassio and Varazze among the places indicated in the most exclusive segments of the seaside offer.
“Guadagnare four positions and reach the sixth national place is a very important signal of the increasing ability of Liguria to be chosen as destination for holidays at the sea – declares the regional Councillor for Tourism and Regional Marketing Luca Lombardi -. The data is even more interesting because it does not concern a single location, but it tells the overall strength of an offer that from Ponente to Levante can talk to different publics. The sea remains one of our great excellence, but today the visitor seeks more and more quality, services and experiences capable of going beyond the only stay on the beach”. The national picture shows a still growing bathing season. According to Panorama Turismo-Mare Italia 2026, the presences on the Italian coasts are estimated in almost 407 million, +4.8% compared to 2025, while the turnover reaches almost 34 billion euros, +2.9%. In particular, the Italians’ presences rise, estimated at almost 299 million, while foreign ones exceed 108 million. The report also reports a transformation of travel motivations. Relaxation and rest remain the first reason to choose a seaside holiday, indicated by 40.9% of Italians, but they acquire weight the desire to escape, the relationship with sea and nature and above all the search for culture and discovery.
“It is precisely this evolution of the question that we must know how to accompany – continues Lombardi -. More and more people want to move on the territory, visit villages, go hiking, cycling, discover food and wine, culture and experience different experiences during the same stay. Liguria has an extraordinary advantage: in a few kilometers it can put together sea, city, villages, hinterland, outdoor and products of excellence. Our strategy is to transform the strength of the coast into a gateway to the entire territory, increasing the value generated by tourism and distributing it more and more throughout the year.” To strengthen the position of Liguria on tourism linked to the sea also contribute the awards on the quality of the coastal offer. In 2026 the region was confirmed as the Queen of Italy by number of Blue Flag Municipalities, with 35 award-winning locations, 72 beaches and 18 certified landings, thanks also to the new entrances of Andora and Taggia between the Municipalities and Marina del Fezzano and Porto Carlo Riva among the landings.
“The result of JFC, together with the national primacy of the Blue Flags, tells a Liguria that continues to strengthen its reputation on the Italian tourist market – Lombardi concludes. Our goal is to consolidate this growth by focusing more and more on the quality of experience, on the ability to integrate coast and hinterland and on an offer that can be attractive not only in the summer months, but 365 days a year”.
– photos Pexels.com –
(ITALPRESS).
