Boom of tourists in Sardinia. The data for July confirm the trend that already emerged in June with a good recovery in 2021 and a consolidation of record pre-Covid data: +15% compared to 2019, increasing from 10 to 12 million tourists on the island. This is confirmed by the June data released by the Region itself, a month in which a 54% increase was recorded in ports and 95% in airports. There are therefore the conditions for this season to be the one with the highest peaks for tourism in Sardinia. "After July and August, which always record exceptional numbers, the month of September could also reserve interesting surprises in terms of attendance", said the regional councilor for Tourism, Gianni Chessa.
An increasingly long season that records ad hotels and restaurants nearly sold out: those who have booked in advance, those who arrive before the date, and attendance is very high after two years of suffering amidst the pandemic and with the winds of war still going on.
Tourism in Sardinia: July numbers
The data on arrivals on the island in the month of July confirm the positive trend recorded in the month of June. Over 1,3 million passengers disembarked in the ports and airports of the island, up compared to 2021 and also up compared to 2019, with a figure 6,5% higher than in the pre-Covid period which thus marks an important recovery.
In July the naval ports, according to data provided by the Sardinian Sea Port System Authority, they recorded a total of over 607 thousand arrivals with an increase of 14% compared to 2021 and 6,92% compared to 2019, a figure that stands overall as the best in the season. Among the most significant numbers we find the one recorded by port of Olbia e Porto Torres, with over 370 and 143 passengers disembarking respectively.
Also the arrivals in the airports: 763 landings overall at the three airports on the island. Cagliari-Elmas with over 302 thousand passengers, it returns to the levels recorded in July 2019. Alghero, with over 113.343 passengers disembarking in the month that has just ended, marks a clear increase compared to 2021 (+32%) and growth also compared to 2019 (+7,36). The same for Olbia, with 347.351 arrivals in July (+26,3% compared to 2021 and +12,24 compared to 2019). Olbia with 665 thousand passengers, in the month of July, overall between arrivals and departures marks its historical record.
Forecasts from August to October: foreigners return but Russians are missing
A Cagliari21 passengers (arrivals + departures) are expected at the airports until 200.000 August, with 1.350 movements expected and 240.945 seats on sale. In 2020, passengers were 119.230, and in 2021, 169.920. It is therefore estimated that passengers in August will approach significantly the number of 2019, over 600.000.
A Olbia approximately 22 passengers are expected until 250.000 August, with 130 arrivals and 1.800 commercial flights alone.
The tourism boom in Sardinia will continue until October. which returns to welcome many foreigners, especially Swiss and Germans, but the Russians are missing the real big spenders. The pandemic first and then the war in Ukraine, and with the sanctions imposed by the EU on personalities linked to Putin, almost eliminated arrivals in 2022. The few arrivals keeping a low profile, no outings or trips on their mega yachts.
