International tourism in Sardinia in 2023 is worth 1.7 billion
In 2023, international tourists spent 1 billion 667 million euros in Sardinia, 50% more than in 2019, the last year before the pandemic. The sensational increase emerges from the analysis of the Communication and Study Centre of Olbia on the data of the Bank of Italy’s "International Tourism Survey", a report published on 18 June 2024.
Of great interest is the increasing presence of tourists from the United States, who fell in love with Sardinia in the years of the pandemic and have doubled since then.
Foreigners are spending more and more
In 2019, the expenditure of foreign tourists in Sardinia amounted to 1 billion and 108 million euros, with 1 million and 777 thousand arrivals.
After the pandemic, in 2022, spending rose to 1.235 billion euros, with a slight decrease in visitors (1.593 million) compared to 2019.
In 2023, the expenditure of international tourists was 1 billion 667 million, with 2 million and 205 thousand arrivals. It is a result that not only represents a recovery, but a considerable increase compared to pre-pandemia data.
And this trend seems to consolidate also in 2024, as shown by the first data of the airports of Sardinia.
Just to mention one case: in May, Olbia Costa Smeralda airport registered up to 50% more arrivals than in 2023.
Average expenditure by nationality
In the Italian context, according to Banca d'Italia data, in 2023 the total expenditure of foreign tourists reached 51 billion and 688 million euros. Of these, 49 billion and 625 million are attributable to overnight stays.
Tourists from the United States of America contributed 6.4 billion euros, followed by German tourists with 7.9 billion euros, the British with 4.5 billion and the French with 4 billion euros.
The average expenditure per night sees US tourists in first place with 184.7 euros, followed by Australians (169.2 euros), Canadians (159.2 euros), Swiss (157.9 euros), British (130.3 euros), French (129.4 euros), Germans (122.2 euros).
The Americans love Sardinia
UniOlbia has intertwined the data of the Bank of Italy with those of the Observatory of Tourism of the Sardinia Region and has emerged that Sardinia - especially Gallura - likes more and more tourists who spend more: the Americans.
In 2023, the most numerous tourists in Sardinia are the Germans with 2 million and 222 thousand visitors. However, this is a historical fact, which has consolidated and is in line with the national one.
The Germans are followed by the French (1 million and 133 thousand), the Swiss (874 thousand), the British (558 thousand), the Spanish (375 thousand), the Dutch (351 thousand), the Poles (291 thousand) and the Austrians (289 thousand). Again, the trend is common to that of the rest of Italy.
US attendance doubled, Gallura the favorite
Of particular note is the increase in US presences, which in 2023 reached 220 thousand units, with an increase of 90% over 2019. Gallura has hosted 50% of arrivals from the United States, making it the preferred destination for tourists from New York and Miami, California and Texas.
In particular, the Americans chose the Costa Smeralda. They are numerous in the luxury hotels of Porto Cervo. There are increasing numbers of Americans who choose this destination to marry.
And - as the study of UniOlbia and Cipnes Gallura shows - the Americans are also the first for presences as owners of superyachts. Between 2018 and 2023, in the waters between Porto Rotondo, Cala di Volpe and Porto Cervo, the Americans were 67, ranking first.
Average spending per night by nationality
According to UniOlbia estimates, based on attendance and average spending per night, German tourists spent 271 million in Sardinia, the French 147 million, the Swiss 138 million, the British 73 million and the Americans 41 million.
Proportionally, Americans are the ones who spend the most. In the calculation of the Bank of Italy is not included in fact the expense of who possesses the superyachts. Or those who choose villas and holiday homes in Sardinia.
The importance of international tourists
UniOlbia, through its Study and Communication Centre, has revised these data to provide a clear and detailed picture of the tourist trend in Sardinia in 2023, underlining the strategic importance of international tourism for the regional economy.
Foreign tourists are in fact the first ambassadors of Sardinia in the world. The promotion happens more and more through social media, especially Instagram.
From life in hotels to boat excursions, from the Mediterranean diet to exclusive parties for weddings, there are millions of videos and photos that tell the story of Sardinia in a direct, even more authentic, and effective.
Foreigners, then, buy the best products of Sardinia: food, wine and in particular Vermentino di Gallura.
Not surprisingly, international tourists are very interested in the recipes of Sardinia.
It is the confirmation that the island, with its Blue Zone, is experienced as an ideal place for good and healthy cuisine.
Research for the 2024 season
UniOlbia also analyzed the research in the first part of the 2024 season. It should be noted that international tourists are especially interested in the resorts of Sardinia on the sea.
The sea of Sardinia is therefore always one of the most attractive elements for those who, from abroad, decide to spend their holidays in Italy.
The degree programs supported by UniOlbia
This contribution on international tourism is part of the mission of UniOlbia to support the economic and social development of Sardinia and to promote the degree courses in Olbia offered by the Universities of Sassari and Cagliari. These include the Economics and Management of Tourism and the new Naval Engineering.
Learn more and join us to build a sustainable future in tourism!
The university offer in Olbia
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