In 2023, tourism in Italy hits a new peak.
Clogged streets and overcrowded attractions are a regular occurrence in Italian cities, but the number of tourists in 2023 is higher than ever before. The Italian Statistical Office (Istat) and the Ministry of Tourism in Italy released figures indicating over 134 million tourist arrivals with approximately 451 million overnight stays at accommodation facilities. This is the highest number of tourists ever recorded in Italy, according to Istat. Compared to 2022, the number of arrivals increased by 13.4% and the number of overnight stays by 9.5%, which equals around 16 million more tourists and 39 million more overnight stays. Moreover, the figures for 2019, before the Coronavirus pandemic, have been exceeded, with 131 million tourists and 436 million overnight stays.
One of Europe's most popular holiday destinations, Italy attracts tourists from all over the world. Around 60% of tourists come from abroad, and in recent years, Germany has been one of the largest groups visiting Italy. The regions with the highest number of guests were Veneto (including Venice), Trentino-South Tyrol, Tuscany, Lombardy, and Lazio (including Rome).
Italy has been struggling with the issue of mass tourism for several years, particularly in cities like Venice, Rome, and some places in Tuscany. During peak tourist season, these cities experience significant traffic and overcrowding. Venice, for example, implemented an admission fee for day visitors in recent months to better manage tourist flow.
The citizens of those cities have grown frustrated with the impact of tourism on their daily lives and are calling for more control and restrictions on visitor numbers. By imposing entrance fees or limiting access, local authorities hope to alleviate some of the strain and preserve their cultural heritage.
