The tourism sector data and trends for 2024 were recently illustrated by Enit – Ente Nazionale Italiano del Turismo at the Bit fair in Milan. According to the agency's report, last year tourism represented a fundamental pillar for the Italian economy, contributing 10,8% to the national GDP and generating 13% of total employment. If this trend were to be confirmed, forecasts indicate that by 2034 tourism could reach an impact of 12,6% on GDP, bringing employment in the sector up to 15,7%.
As for tourist flows, between January and November 2024, Italy welcomed over 235 million international visitors, marking an increase of 3,7% compared to the previous year. Furthermore, tourist spending in the first nine months of 2024 reached 28,7 billion euros out of a total of 48,8 billion, with foreign visitors covering 65% of the overall value. This figure marks an 8,5% growth compared to 2023.
The transport sector also saw significant growth. In 2024, Italian airports handled 218,4 million passengers, an increase of 11% compared to the previous year. Of these, 145,8 million were international travellers, with a growth of 14%, representing 67% of total traffic. In particular, passengers from the European Union increased by 15%, reaching 99 million, while domestic travellers reached 72 million, with a growth of 6%.
The busiest airports were confirmed as Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa, which handled 22% and 13% of total passengers respectively, with increases of 21% and 11% compared to the previous year. Milan Bergamo airport also recorded significant growth, with an increase of 8,5%, welcoming approximately 8% of total air traffic.
“The first signs of this 2025 are also encouraging – he explained Ivana Jelinic, CEO of Enit – and for this reason the goal of the new year remains to improve ourselves by always looking at new markets and synergistic possibilities. Without forgetting that 2025 is also the year of the Jubilee that has just begun, which will see Rome, Lazio and the entire country involved in a strong influx of international tourists. Followed in 2026 by the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Two events that, with their international reach, are unmissable opportunities for tourist visibility for the entire territory. The forecasts for both events are more than promising, but the real challenge will be to ride this wave for the years to come”.
