Venice, Italy - 08the April 2026. davide bonaldo / Shutterstock.comItaly's tourism sector is experiencing a significant transformation, with air capacity increasing by 5.1% over the past year, according to the Data Appeal Company/Almaviva Group's annual All Italian Data report. This growth is largely driven by an 8.6% rise in international capacity and a 7.2% increase in low-cost carrier capacity. The trend is expected to continue, with a forecasted 11.8% growth in air capacity from September 2026 to March 2027.
Italy is increasingly becoming a year-round destination, with its Summer Dependence Rate at 52.8%, notably lower than other Mediterranean countries like Greece and Croatia. Events during the low season are contributing to this shift, accounting for 58.2% of total expected event attendance.
Tourism is also expanding beyond traditional hotspots, particularly in Southern Italy. Regions such as Puglia, Calabria, and Basilicata are emerging as popular destinations, with cities like Reggio Calabria, Bari, and Tropea leading in growth based on accommodation reviews.
International visitors, who make up nearly half of all travellers, rate Italy highly, with a sentiment score of 87/100. Satisfaction among visitors from Germany, the UK, Spain, and France has improved, underscoring Italy's strong international appeal.
Cultural and gastronomic experiences remain central to Italy's allure, driving 38% and 15% of travel demand, respectively. Cultural activities and gastronomy experiences receive high ratings, with gastronomy achieving an average score of 9.7/10.
Carlos Cendra, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Data Appeal, noted, "Italian tourism is entering a new phase, expanding both in time and space." The focus is now on attracting higher-quality demand and promoting sustainable growth across more destinations and seasons
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