Italian coastal tourism and real estate trends in 2026

The 2026 summer season in various Italian coastal regions showed signs of growth in visitor numbers and revenue, though specific challenges varied by location.

In the Riviera dei Cedri, Assoturextra reported a significant increase in tourist arrivals. To build on this, the association plans to focus on seasonal diversification, targeting the months of September and October, and integrating sea and mountain activities to attract more international visitors.

In Riccione, data from the Luigino Montanari Tourist Observatory indicated that 84% of operators saw higher turnover compared to 2025, with a provisional 6% increase in overnight stays attributed to favorable weather. However, operators noted a contraction in customer spending, with guests opting for shorter, more budget-conscious stays. Other challenges identified in Riccione include the need to expand foreign markets, address digital security threats, and resolve housing shortages for employees. To support local economic competitiveness, the Municipality of Riccione has launched a 100,000 euro funding initiative for businesses in several urban hubs.

As the season concludes, industry leaders in Emilia-Romagna are preparing detailed analyses of the 2026 tourism and real estate markets. In Riccione, Federalberghi will hold its annual general assembly to evaluate the summer season using data from the ‘L. Montanari’ Tourist Observatory and the Center for Advanced Studies on Tourism (CAST) at the University of Bologna. This evaluation will address personnel management, supply and demand, and destination promotion. Concurrently, in Cervia, Confcommercio Ravenna will host a conference regarding the holiday home market. This event will present findings from a real estate observatory on sales, rentals, and pricing trends along the Romagna Riviera to assess the attractiveness of second homes and tourist rentals.