Tourism: summer home exchanges on the rise (+27 per cent), interest in the mountains
HomeExchange figures for summer 2026 in Italia
It’s the alternative to short-term rentals or a traditional hotel room for those who want to travel: home exchange. According to data from the HomeExchange platform, over 12,900 home exchanges have been planned for summer of 2026 in Italia, over 12,900 home exchanges have been booked, 27 per cent more than in the same period last year. The total stands at over 239,000 overnight stays involving more than 39,000 guests.
A love of the mountains
The extreme temperatures, with heatwaves occurring ever more frequently, are driving the strongest growth in Alpine destinations. Leading the growth is Valle d’Aosta, with a 47 per cent increase in visitor numbers compared with the summer of 2025, followed by Trentino-Alto Adige (+40 per cent), Lombardy (+27%) and Piedmont (+26%). The Veneto region is also seeing growth (+44%). In this region, alongside the cities of art, tourism linked to the Dolomites is also contributing to this growth.
Among the mountain destinations most sought after by users of the platform are Bolzano, Pré-Saint-Didier and Ayas. According to HomeExchange, in the Aosta Valley, some tourist destinations at the foot of Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa are recording a higher number of exchanges than the regional capital. Cuneo and Trento are also performing well.
Budget of 850 euros
According to a survey of Italian members, the average budget spent locally is around 850 euros per group of travellers. 95 per cent of respondents said they had allocated a larger proportion of their budget to local activities and services, with a particular focus on local shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. Furthermore, 88 per cent said they had visited places off the beaten track thanks to suggestions from their hosts.
When it comes to travel, more than half of travellers (51%) travel to Italia by car or train rather than by plane; 68% use public transport during their stay; and 53% extend the length of their holiday compared with what they would do if they chose traditional accommodation.
