Tourism in Italy expanded in the first quarter of 2026, with a 4.2% increase in arrivals and a 7.5% increase in overnight stays. This growth was mostly driven by foreign visitors (+12.3%), who accounted for 54.6% of total overnight stays, confirming the growing importance of international tourism. This is supported by a recent update from ISTAT, the Italian National Institute of Statistics, which reveals that in the first quarter of 2026, accommodation establishments received 23 million arrivals and 71.6 million overnight stays. Tourist stays climbed in every month of the quarter, with the highest gains for Italian tourists occurring in February and March, as well as a significant increase in the foreign component, particularly in March. When compared to 2025, the most substantial increases in attendance were registered in February and March: +3.4% and +2.7%, respectively, for Italian tourists, and +11.3% and +17.4% for international tourists. These indicators show how the international component drives the sector.