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Sardinia tourism growth and infrastructure pressure

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2026-08-07 09:04 UTC → 2026-08-31 14:34 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Sardinia tourism growth and ~~restaurant trends~~ infrastructure pressure

A 2025 tourism report showed that dining now accounts for about one‑fifth of all visitor spending in Sardinia, with the restaurant sector expanding by nearly 20% over the previous year. The data highlighted a shift toward culinary experiences as a primary draw for tourists, reinforcing gastronomy as a key economic driver. By July 2026, the region recorded a historic surge in foreign arrivals, pushing hotel occupancy to over 84% and reaching an all‑time high of 88% in Alghero. Despite the influx, local restaurateurs reported a sharp decline in average bills, attributing lower per‑customer spending to reduced purchasing power. The contrast between growing visitor numbers and falling restaurant revenues underscores emerging challenges for Sardinia’s hospitality sector as it balances volume with profitability. This growth has extended to transportation, with July 2026 data showing passenger increases at major airports: Alghero grew by 18.5%, Olbia by 8.7%, and Cagliari by 10%. However, the surge has placed significant pressure on local infrastructure. In the Gallura region, the Spiritu Santu landfill is approaching saturation due to high summer waste volumes, prompting Cipnes to initiate a project to increase the facility's capacity through vertical expansion.

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