Italy's Luxury Tourism Rises as Celebrities Flock to Exclusive Resorts

A wave of high‑profile celebrities—including Dua Lipa and Callum Turner, Paul McCartney, Rosalía, Mick Jagger and Lady Kitty Spencer—have spent the summer vacationing in upscale Italian locales such as Palermo, Taormina and Lake Como. Their presence highlights the rapid expansion of Italy’s ultra‑luxury tourism market, which a Demoskopica study values at €9 billion.

The sector recorded an 18 % year‑over‑year increase, driven by demand for privacy, personalized experiences and exclusive accommodation. The Luxury Hospitality Report by Thrends projects more than 900 five‑star and luxury‑hotel properties in Italy by 2028, moving the country ahead of China and into second place globally behind the United States. Italy now tops the list of elite summer destinations, followed by Greece, France and Japan, and remains a leading choice for high‑end honeymoons.