Spring break: increase in the number of travellers and spending

People will travel mainly by car and will tend to opt for destinations that are easy to reach. The favourite destinations for travellers staying in Italy will be the sea (43.8%), art resorts (25.2%), lakes (10.3%), followed by mountains (8.2%) and spas (2.1%).

For those going abroad, favoured by the proximity of Easter, the big European capitals win (83.2%), followed by non-European capitals (6.6%), seaside resorts (6%) and cruise travel (2.9%).

A desire for novelty has been detected among travellers' choices: Italians are keen to discover places they have never visited, daring a little more than the more usual habits, in favour of seeking out the new and undiscovered natural beauty.

"We are facing a positive trend that started with the Easter holidays," explains Bernabò Bocca, president of Federalberghi. "These spring holidays seem to represent an unmissable opportunity for many of our fellow citizens. Most of them have booked well in advance, a sign of certainty regarding the enjoyment of the trip.

But there was also a particular preference for facilities with sustainable practices, chosen by around 40%. The rising cost of living, however, leaves no respite for the pockets of Italians, 38% of whom have in fact reduced their spending.

In this respect, I consider it right to emphasise that, of the total costs to be attributed to the holiday, overnight expenses account for 18%. In view of these figures, we hope that the positive trend will continue, not only with regard to the coming summer season, but also in anticipation of the great challenges that await us throughout the year.

These forecasts, comments Daniela Santanchè, Minister of Tourism, 'testify to a healthy tourism sector with more than 14 million Italians travelling and a turnover in excess of 7 billion euro.

The desire for Italy is a certainty, with almost 90% of those who leave preferring Italian destinations. Walks, food and wine, relaxation and sport - indicated as favourite activities -, moreover, reaffirm the trend, now increasingly rooted, for a tourism under the banner of slowness, greenery, sustainability, well-being and that genuineness and authenticity that only the tourism proposal of the Belpaese can offer".

According to Federalberghi data, holidays will last an average of 5.1 days, more than a day longer than last year. In fact, 84.4% of holidaymakers will stay away for more than 4 nights.

More than half of all holidaymakers (52.6 per cent) will leave on Thursday 24 April, while 18.6 per cent had already been on holiday since Easter. The average per capita expenditure incurred, including transport, accommodation, food and entertainment, will be EUR 504 with a turnover of EUR 7.2 billion.

This result could have been even greater had it not been for the price increase that is characterising this period. In fact, 68% of holidaymakers were influenced in their choices for this holiday precisely by inflation. The bulk of travellers' expenditure will be on meals (34.4%) and travel (21.5%).

Accommodation absorbs 18% of the budget, while shopping will be allocated 10.4%. Those who will not go on holiday will do so mainly for economic reasons (46.6%), another 35.3% for family reasons and another 12% for work commitments.

Millions will be driving and according to data from the Telepass Observatory conducted by Seed Digital based on online searches, Rome will be a favoured destination and takes second place, but the highest step on the podium goes to Ischia.

This is followed by Rimini and Riccione, the key destinations of Romagna and cities of art such as Florence and Venice. Close to the large metropolitan areas of Northern Italy, with an enviable open-air offer and many amusement parks is Lake Garda.

At the lower end of the ranking are the Cinque Terre, the island of Elba and the gems of the Amalfi coast.

While the car remains the preferred means of transport for the family, 49% of travel-related searches relate to flights, with a clear concentration on short-haul and domestic destinations despite expensive tickets.