ISTAT has recently published data on tourist arrivals recorded in May of this year. After an April that saw a -8.5% YoY decrease in arrivavls, the hotel and non-hotel sectors recorded 38.6 million overnight stays in May (+18% YoY and +24% compared to 2019), marking significant growth.

We recall that 2023 closed with 431 million stays (-1% compared to 2019) and the months of January, February, and March of this year recorded very positive volumes of attendance, respectively +5%, +9%, and +8% compared to 2019. Only in April was a 10% drop recorded compared to 2019.

In May, the hotel sector alone recorded 23 million overnight stays (+14% YoY and +9% compared to 2019). In 2023, the volume of hotel presences was still 5 percentage points below the volume recorded in 2019, standing at 268 million, and May 2023 was -4% compared to 2019. However, the volumes of arrivals recorded in January, February, March, and May of this year by the hotel sector have, for the first time since the Covid emergency, exceeded 2019 volumes.

The non-hotel sector recorded a significant growth with 15.6 million room night, +57% compared to 2019 and +26% YoY. The non-hotel sector had already recorded higher arrival volumes than 2019 last year.

This analysis was made by THRENDS – Tourism and Hospitality. For more in-depth insights and studies, visit their website.