Tourism has resumed its growth in the lead-up to Christmas, although increasing travel expenses have affected demand in Italy. Over the Immaculate Conception holiday weekend (December 5-8), Italian hotels registered more than 5 million overnight visits. However, flight costs have not helped: on some domestic routes (from Northern Italy to Sicily, Sardinia, and Puglia), rates have risen by up to 900% compared to base prices or low-season periods. On the busiest days, a Milan-Catania or Milan-Palermo flight costs €600 one-way, which is equivalent to more than a New York flight. Trains have also followed suit, and while 2024 was marked by "expensive ticket prices", 2025 will witness peaks that even exceed last year's records on several routes. Overall, on “critical” days, price levels tripled compared with the annual average.