Tourism satellite account for Italy - Year 2023

The direct and indirect impact of tourism on the economy is significant: 9.6% of GDP

In 2023, the direct impact of tourism consumption generates 106.8 billion GDP, which becomes 206.4 billion if indirect effects are also considered and that are measured for the first time with the TSA presented in this document.

Employment in the tourism industries absorbs the 14.4% of the jobs in total economy, while compensation of employees paid amounts to 76 billion euros (9.3% of total).

The average labour productivity in the tourism industries (99,015 euros) is 30% lower than the country average. The per capita income (17,709 euros) is also 35% lower than the national average.

In Spain, the direct and indirect effect of tourism is equal to 12.3% of GDP. The balance is in surplus both for Italy (+26.6 billion euros) and, to a greater extent, for Spain (+74.5 billion), the difference is mainly attributable to the higher tourist expenditure abroad by Italians.

Main results

The estimates of the 2023 Tourism Satellite Account (TSA2023) introduce some relevant innovations and improvements in methods and sources and incorporate the results of the general review of the national accounts of September 2024, therefore the results produced are not comparable with previous editions of the TSA for Italy.

In particular, starting from this edition of the TSA, in addition to the direct impact of tourism consumption, expressly foreseen by the Account, the indirect impact is also measured, that is, the impact activated by tourism demand on other economic sectors.

In 2023, tourist flows in Italy amount to 777 million overnight stays and excursionists. Although steadily recovering after the collapse in 2020, flows have not yet reached the levels of 2019, the last reference year before the pandemic, but also, it should be emphasized, the year in which tourist flows peaked.

In 2023, internal tourism consumption in Italy is estimated at 202.7 billion euros at current prices. The main part is attributed to the expenditure of domestic visitors (40.7% of the total), while non-residents expenditure accounts for 37.5%. These two components, domestic and inbound spending, account for 78.3% of internal tourism consumption. The Other components, which include the use of second homes for holidays and business trips, represent the remaining 21.7% of tourist demand.

In 2023, the Gross Domestic Product attributed to the tourism sector and directly stimulated by tourism consumption amounted to 106.8 billion euros at current prices (5% of the total). However, if we also consider the indirect effects exerted by tourism demand on other productive sectors, the overall estimate rises to 206.4 billion, reaching 9.6% of GDP.

In 2023, more than 4 million of jobs are allocated to tourism industries, 14.4% of the total economy. The Accommodation, Food and beverage and Commerce industries as a whole absorb more than 80% of all jobs employed by the tourism industries. 

Starting from TSA 2023, the compensation of employees paid by tourism industries is estimated. These amount to 76.5 billion euros (9.3% of the total).