Tourism: September is the new holiday month – flight bookings are on the rise (+8%)

Lower prices, less crowded destinations and a mild climate: these are the factors driving seasonal adjustment and make September the new month for holidays in summer 2026. This is what emerges from the analysis carried out by the Research Centre of Federturismo Confindustria Research Centre, which indicate that the season is being driven primarily by strong international demand and a rise in bookings.

Italia continues to attract travellers from all over the world. Searches for flights to our country have risen by 26% compared with last year, whilst the number of seats available on direct flights has increased by 14 per cent, outpacing the growth seen among our main European competitors. Demand remains strong for the Ferragosto period too: online searches are up by 17% compared with summer 2025.

Whilst August remains Italians’ favourite month for travelling (around 16 million Italians are set to go away in August), as mentioned, the number of people choosing to plan their holidays for September is also growing significantly (4.5 million), favouring less crowded periods, milder temperatures and better value for money. Flight bookings for September are up by 8 per cent.

The Italians continue to favour the seaside resorts of Sardinia, Sicily, Calabria and Puglia, whilst on the international front, the Greek islands and the Balearic Islands remain among the most popular destinations, and the Red Sea is showing signs of recovery. Interest in Northern Europe is growing, boosted by cooler weather, whilst Japan, China and South America are gaining ground as long-haul destinations. But also Spain and Greece are also seeing significant growth.

We are witnessing a surge in popularity for mountain holidays, chosen by almost 8 million Italians, with Trentino-Alto Adige once again proving to be the go-to destination for those seeking milder temperatures, nature and outdoor activities.