ROMA (ITALPRESS) – More than 72 million arrivals, 276 million attendance and more than 70 billion euros activated in the Italian economy. Summer 2026 closes with record numbers and confirms Italy’s leadership among the main European destinations. To drive growth is above all the increasing integration between tourism and Made in Italy. According to an investigation by CNA Tourism and Commerce, the ability to combine hospitality, culture, food and wine, handicrafts, agri-food productions and quality trade has strengthened the country’s attraction on international markets, producing widespread relapses on businesses and territories.
The data of the Ministry of Tourism indicate that in the quarter of June-August 72.4 million arrivals and 276 million attendances were exceeded, more than 5.5 million more than in summer 2025. August confirms the driving month of the season, with an increase of 3% of arrivals and 4.2% of attendance compared to the same month last year. Italian and foreign tourists increase. According to the estimates of CNA Tourism and Commerce, the month has generated a direct expenditure greater than 13 billion euros and an overall economic impact of more than 22 billion.
Italy also consolidates its primacy with the main European competitors. The rate of saturation of bookings on online platforms has reached 61.8%, exceeding Spain, stops at 54.7%, and France, at 45.6%. A result that testifies to the strength of the Italian brand and the quality of the national offer.
Sea and islands, mountains, lakes, cities of art and natural destinations have benefited from substantial flows throughout the summer. Particularly positive the performance of the villages and small municipalities, which continue to grow more than the national average thanks to the search for authenticity, slow tourism, widespread cultural heritage and territorial identity.
For the quarter of June-August, the survey estimates a direct tourist expenditure of more than EUR 31 billion and an overall impact of more than 55 billion on the tourist economy and related services. Extending the calculation to the results produced on agri-food, crafts, local trade and the entire ecosystem of Made in Italy, the activated value exceeds 70 billion.
-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
