With 458,4 million admissions and an 11,1% increase in nights in the fourth quarter, 2024 marks a new record for tourism in Italy, with a increase of 2,5% compared to the previous year. Particularly significant is the growth of international tourismOver 250 million admissions foreign (+6,8%), representing 54,6% of the total. These numbers consolidate Italy in second place in Europe for tourist presences, surpassing France and behind only Spain.
“The ISTAT estimates published today are the authoritative confirmation of the incredible strength of Italian tourism – says the Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè commenting on the data –. Our country consolidates its role as a privileged destination at a global level, overtaking France and placing itself at the top second place in Europe in terms of number of tourist presences, preceded only by Spain. A historic result, which fills us with pride and testifies to the quality and appeal of our tourist offer, capable of fascinating and attracting visitors from everywhere”.
The credit for having reached this goal, continues Santanché, "goes to the commitment and resilience of the entrepreneurs and of the operators in the sector, whom I will never stop thanking, together with the targeted policies and the continuous attention to quality, sustainability and diversification of the tourist offer".
“It is important to underline that tourism also represents a driving force for the growth of local communities – adds the minister Santanchè –, promoting employment, innovation and well-being for businesses, especially in areas less frequented by traditional flows. And the record numbers only reinforce the centrality of the sector for our economy. We will therefore continue to work to strengthen Italy's attractiveness, focusing on quality, sustainability, innovation and accessibility with the aim of reaching new goals and consolidating our primacy in the international tourism panorama”.
