Sicily Tourism 2025: 22.5 million overnight stays, foreign visitors rise

The tourism balance for Sicily in 2025 shows a total of 22.5 million overnight stays, unchanged from 2024 but with different trends for domestic and international markets. Industry stakeholders call for measures to improve offer quality, extend the season and strengthen experiential cultural and nature-based services.

• Total overnight stays: 22.5 million (stable vs. 2024).
• Italian visitors: below 10 million, -6.3%; average stays under 3 nights.
• Foreign visitors: nearly 13 million, +5.5%; airport arrivals by foreigners at 8.3 million (+5.1%).
• Total airport arrivals: about 23 million.
• Economic impact: the sector generates roughly €6 billion in added value and supports 32,000 businesses.

Presented at the UniCredit–Federalberghi forum in Palermo, the report notes that foreign growth lags slightly behind the national average, while the decline in domestic visitors is mainly due to shorter stays. Positive spillovers continue to benefit transport, retail, food services and cultural‑natural attractions.

Statements: Salvatore Malandrino (UniCredit Sicily) highlights that tourism generates “€6 billion in added value” and calls for investments to raise quality and international appeal. Nico Torrisi (Federalberghi Sicily) points to steady interest from investors and airlines, describing the sector’s health as “very good.” Rosa Di Stefano (Federalberghi Palermo) notes a +2.8% increase in arrivals in Palermo, with an uptick in high‑spending American visitors staying more than three days.

Outlook for 2026: to consolidate foreign growth and revive domestic demand, strategies should prioritize season extension, higher-quality offers and experiential packages that showcase local identity and landscapes. Palermo is highlighted as a model for developing year‑round city experiences beyond beach tourism, through culture, events and improved services.