rome italy
With its stunning coasts and colourful towns, a trip to Italy really is something to behold. Take Rome for example – whether you’re looking for luxury couples’ getaways or cheap singles holidays, there’s fantastic cuisine on offer, a buzzing nightlife and stunning architecture, and let’s not forget the Colosseum! Yet according to the Mastercard Global Destinations Cities Index, Rome was only ranked the 16th most visited city in 2017.

According to Xinhuanet, 7.1 million tourists flock to Rome every year, but it is still falling behind Kuala, Lumpur, Amsterdam and Seoul. Bangkok was ranked number one, welcoming 21.5 million tourists every year – over three times more than the amount of tourists heading to Rome. Fourth place lends itself to Dubai, attracting roughly twice as many visitors per year.

But things could be looking up, as Rome and Italy as a whole can expect 2018 statistics to soar according to the experts.

Tuscany will be leading the way of this tourism surge, as experts have noticed the city’s growing appeal amongst holidaymakers, says Italics Magazine. “Namely, this region is best known for its beautiful vineyards, quality wines and famous specialties. Here, we can see a 10 percent growth trend for European tourists and 20 percent for visitors from other countries.

“In addition, it is also noticeable a growing interest for lake areas. Natural wonders such as Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda can boast an increase in the total number of overnight stays. Finally, to complete this positive picture, also the number of airport arrivals increased by 7 percent.”

It seems tourists no longer just want to laze on the beach while drinking sangria, as Italy is becoming an established destination for those seeking an active holiday experience. And with Rome, Tuscany and other stunning locations like Florence and Sicily on offer, it comes as no surprise.

To find out more about Friendship Travel’s holidays to Italy, get in touch with the team today.