Increased (+6.1%) arrivals from abroad, 3.5 billion business

Between Christmas and New Year's Eve, 4 million arrivals from abroad are expected in the Peninsula's airports, a slight increase (+6.1%) compared to last year. Spain, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany are the main source markets. Flows that will feed a 3.5 billion business, a value destined to grow by adding the other arrivals from abroad with other carriers. Over 400,000 Italians booked on domestic flights will pass through the airports.

According to estimates drawn up by the Ministry of Tourism and Enit, in December there will be 2.4 million airport arrivals from abroad, a growth of 6.1% compared to Christmas 2024; a growth trend that will continue in January 2026 when there will already be 1.9 million arrivals booked in Italian airports, +4.4% compared to January 2025. Results that place our country ahead of the likes of France and Turkey, second only to Spain. The Statistics Office of the Ministry of Tourism takes a snapshot of an Italy that, with a national average of 35.7% saturation of online tourist portals (Ota) between 1 December 2025 and 11 January 2026, proves to be polycentric and diversified for the upcoming winter holidays.

"Even for the winter festivities, Italy confirms its irresistible appeal, with millions of visitors choosing it as a setting to experience the magic of Christmas and New Year's Eve, impacting our economy by 3.5 billion euros between December and January," says Daniela Santanchè, Minister of Tourism. The Belpaese, from North to South, consolidates its role as a privileged tourist destination in the European market, performing better than competitors such as France and Turkey. Important results, also made possible by the catalyst of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics, which is thus beginning to generate the first fruits. On the other hand, it is no coincidence that, on the podium of the great destinations, Milan and Venice are respectively in first and third place for airports and Lombardy and Veneto in the first positions for Ota bookings. Once again, major events are important drivers of tourism and socio-economic development for the host cities and regions and, by extension, for the nation as a whole'

Among the main markets that choose to spend Christmas and New Year's Eve in Italy, Spain stands out with 611,000 airport arrivals, the United Kingdom (around 585,000), France (328,000) and Germany (308,000). Arrivals from Poland, Albania, Romania, the Netherlands and Belgium are also growing. Among the major destinations chosen, Milan (1.6 million arrivals at city airports) and Rome (1.2) dominate, followed by Venice (almost half a million arrivals), Naples and Bologna. The mountains are driving demand at the end of the year, with a booking rate of 46.6%, thanks mainly to the performance of Trentino-Alto Adige (48.36%), Valle d'Aosta (45.7%) and Umbria (40.18%); the cities of art and the large cultural regions - above all Lazio (over 1.6 million Ota bookings), Lombardy and Veneto (over one million) - remain essential for volumes; the South is gaining ground, showing signs of consolidation, particularly with Calabria (+6.7% Ota saturation rate over the same period in 2024), Molise (+5.7%) and Basilicata (+4.2%) leading the growth and rebalancing of flows.

"Italy confirms its leading role in tourism also in this last phase of the year. Between Christmas and New Year we record a significant growth in arrivals from abroad compared to last year, demonstrating how competitive and attractive our destinations are," notes Ivana Jelinic, Enit's CEO. "This is a constant trend throughout the year, which consolidates the strength of our country in the sector. We position ourselves ahead of historical competitors such as France and Turkey even during these holidays, contributing to generating value in the territories, increasing the economic and employment growth of the entire tourism industry".