Emilia-Romagna tourism and transport growth

Emilia-Romagna is experiencing sustained growth in tourism and related transportation infrastructure. Regional President Michele de Pascale has advocated for improved airport infrastructure at Rimini and Forlì to support rising passenger numbers, noting that the share of foreign tourists has increased from 22% to 33% over the last decade.

Data from the first eight months of 2026 indicates over 10 million arrivals and 35.5 million presences, representing increases of 1.5% and 2.5% respectively compared to 2025. This expansion was driven by a 3.7% increase in international arrivals and a 0.6% rise in the Italian domestic market. Infrastructure improvements supported these flows, including a 4.8% increase in passengers across four regional airports and a 75% surge in cruise traffic at Porto Corsini. In the Riviera Romagnola, Gatteo Mare emerged as a standout performer, recording 117,571 arrivals (+6.64%) and 646,564 overnight stays (+4.20%) between January and August.

Regional rail services also saw significant usage during the summer of 2026, with over 7.3 million passengers traveling in July and August, a 2.2% increase over the previous year. Notable growth occurred on weekend connections between Milan and the northern Romagna coast, which saw 110,000 passengers (an 8.4% rise), and services between Piedmont and the Riviera. The Orobica Line, utilizing high-capacity Rock trains, recorded 79,000 users. Additionally, the new Eurocity service between Zurich and Rimini facilitated travel between Switzerland and nine regional cities, including Bologna and Cesena.

By October 2026, President de Pascale raised concerns regarding new government regulations for beach concessions. He noted that while concession fees are paid to the state, the administrative and legal costs of appeals will fall heavily on local municipalities, creating “financial uncertainty for the coastal tourism sector.”