Sardinian artisanal tourism businesses see significant growth

An analysis by the Confartigianato Imprese Sardegna Study Office reveals a growth in artisanal businesses linked to tourism in Sardinia. In the second half of 2026, there were 6,551 registered businesses, an increase of 610 compared to the previous year.

These enterprises employ approximately 17,000 people, representing 19.4% of the roughly 34,000 active artisanal businesses in the region. The sector spans various industries, including agri-food, tourism services, personal care, recreation, cultural activities, food and beverage, transport, accommodation management, and the production of jewelry, clothing, and footwear.

Sardinia ranks fourth in Italy for the weight of artisanal businesses in core tourism sectors, following Sicily, Calabria, and Campania. Giacomo Meloni, President of Confartigianato Sardegna, stated that local craftsmanship is a driving engine of the tourism economy and emphasized the need for collective efforts to make tourism work more attractive to young people.