Summer holidays for 36 million Italians, with Italian destinations and the sea at the top in August

Over 36 million Italians are planning or have already taken summer vacations outside their homes between June and September, according to recent data. The majority—87.6 percent, will remain within Italy, with the first weekend marking a “red stamp” due to high traffic volumes. According to the Anas Road Mobility Observatory, more than 27 million vehicle movements are expected on the roads during this period. In preparation for the increased traffic, which will continue until September 7, 1,175 roadworks sites will be closed or suspended, representing 83 percent of the active ones (totaling 1,414). Fortunately, the last weekend of July is forecasted to bring cooler temperatures compared to the recent heatwave, with green alerts dominating the health ministry’s heat wave bulletins. The Italian government has noted some localized delays on certain highways, particularly in Sicily towards Messina and in Puglia near Foggiano along the SS688. However, there are currently no major issues reported on roads managed by Anas. The administration is working to ensure smooth traffic flow through its planned measures, including deploying over 2,500 technical and operational staff, alongside personnel from regional control centers and national monitoring rooms, operating around the clock. According to the Federalberghi survey, the total revenue generated from summer tourism is projected to reach 43 billion euros. August stands out as the peak month for vacation enjoyment, with the majority of travelers choosing domestic destinations. Only 12.4 percent plan to travel abroad, with the Mediterranean coasts of Croatia, Spain, and Greece being the most popular choices among foreign destinations. These are followed by large European capitals and tropical or exotic locations. For those staying within Italy, 75.1 percent will choose coastal areas, while 13.7 percent will head to mountainous regions, 4.8 percent to cultural attractions, and 3.4 percent to lakes. A notable trend is the increasing number of multi-period vacations. Over a quarter of vacationers (28.9 percent) will take additional breaks beyond their main holiday, with 41.0 percent planning at least one extra trip, 35.2 percent planning two, and 15.1 percent three trips between June and September. This reflects a growing tendency to spread out holidays throughout the summer season rather than taking them all at once. On average, the primary vacation lasts 9.8 days, while subsequent trips are significantly shorter, averaging 4.2 days. The overall cost of these vacations, including travel, accommodation, food, and entertainment, averages 917 euros per person, or approximately 94 euros per day. Additional trips are less expensive, costing around 527 euros in total, or roughly 127 euros per day. In terms of lodging preferences, Italians favor hotels and tourist villages (30.6 percent), followed by stays at friends' or family homes (28.6 percent), private residences (11.9 percent), B&Bs (7.8 percent), campsites (6.8 percent), short-term rentals (5.1 percent), resorts (4.7 percent), and agriturismos (2.6 percent). President of Federalberghi, Bernabò Bocca, notes that the distribution of vacations across the four summer months allows for better utilization of local resources and businesses, enhancing the overall economic impact of tourism. The survey also reveals that nearly half of the population (48.5 percent) does not plan to go on vacation during the summer months. Reasons include lack of liquidity (52.8 percent), family commitments (25.7 percent), and health concerns (24.5 percent). Among those who do plan to travel, the majority (74.4 percent) book their accommodations at least one to two months in advance, either directly contacting the establishment or using its website. Travelers are primarily influenced by the natural beauty of the destination (65.2 percent), followed by familiarity with the location (32.7 percent) and ease of access (28.2 percent). In 20.7 percent of cases, the availability of entertainment influences the choice of destination. During their vacations, Italians are likely to engage in a variety of activities, such as walking (67.7 percent), exploring the area through excursions and day trips (51.5 percent), swimming in the sea, lake, river, or pool (47.2 percent), socializing with friends (46.2 percent), and dining at restaurants (45.2 percent). Most travelers (64.4 percent) will use their personal vehicles to reach their destinations, while 25.1 percent will fly and 3.3 percent will travel by train.