If you felt like everyone you know was in Italy last year, the data shows you weren’t wrong. ABS figures show a whopping 311, 760 Australians travelled to Italy in 2023, up 19 per cent on 2019 visitation levels and setting a new yearly travel record.
The number of Aussies visiting Italy last year notably increased from July 2023, jumping to record-breaking levels during the nation’s bumper summer season. Overall, international traveller visitation to Italy was up 10 per cent on its peak 2019 levels.
While a busy July and August isn’t surprising, monthly visitation numbers show Aussies also favouring end-of-summer and shoulder seasons with strong monthly growth from September to November.
September 2023 recorded an 18 per cent increase while October and November saw figures up 21 per cent and 22 per cent respectively on 2019 monthly visitation numbers.
While the ABS data only reflects travellers who spent most of their time in Italy, overall visitation could be even higher with Aussies visiting the country as part of a bigger European holiday.
Shoulder, winter and off-season travel trends up
Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT) ANZ Country Manager Emanuele Attanasio welcomed the travel trend, saying Australians are more aware of the benefits of travelling in the shoulder and off-season periods such as winter.
“Australians are more open to travelling to Italy outside the key summer months. Many popular destinations don’t shut down when the temperatures drop; people are discovering they have multi-dimensional offerings and year-round appeal,” he said.
To avoid the tourist crowds, he also highlighted travel to lesser-known destinations, such as Praiano on the Amalfi Coast, lakeside Baveno in Piedmont and Umbria and Le Marche’s wine regions.
“Australians have a strong connection with Italy, which has only blossomed since travel patterns have normalised. It is fantastic to see the numbers back this up as we look towards another strong year ahead,” he said.
For more info, head to italia.it