Sicily's Artisan Sector Powers Tourism with Over 16,000 Firms

More than 16,000 artisan enterprises linked to tourism operate across Sicily, employing around 40,000 workers and accounting for 23.1% of the island’s total craft sector – the highest share in Italy. Data from the Confartigianato Sicilia Observatory show a 9.4% rise in summer‑time employment between July and September 2026, with an estimated 20,000 new hires in accommodation, catering and related services, reversing a previous decline.

Palermo leads the sector, where tourism‑related artisans represent 25.9% of all local craft firms, followed by Agrigento (25.2%) and Messina (23.5%). International visitors make up 56% of arrivals and generate over 40% of non‑resident spending. The industry, however, faces a shortage of qualified staff, with 47.3% of positions reported as hard to fill.