TORONTO — Destination weddings to Italy are back in line with pre-pandemic numbers, according to the Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT).
In 2022 Italy was the wedding setting for more than 11,000 foreign couples, clear evidence of the sector’s upswing, says ENIT.
The data emerging from the Destination Weddings in Italy Observatory, conducted by Centro Studi Turistici (CST) and financed by the Ministry of Tourism, was presented in Rome this week by ENIT and Convention Bureau Italia.
Based on the length of stay of couples and guests at ceremonies (3.3 nights on average), for 2022 the Observatory estimates 619,000 arrivals and more than two million tourist presences linked to destination weddings, producing an estimated turnover of 599 million euros, about 11% more than the levels estimated in 2019, the last pre-Covid year.
In 2022, the share of couples choosing to get married in a wedding ceremony grew, which is now 54.1% of the total. For 2023, the estimated increase is over 1,000 more events than last year, with a growth forecast of +9.5%.
ENIT notes that Tuscany, with its scenic and artistic beauty, is Italy’s most sought after region by foreign couples, with 21% of the total. Tuscany is followed by Lombardy, Campania, Puglia, Sicily and Lazio.
“The wedding industry has significant benefits for the tourism industry by expanding the choices for a trip to Italy as well as the reputation of the Italy brand image. We need to be ready and strengthen the network with dedicated all-inclusive packages,” says ENIT’s CEO, Ivana Jelinic.
And Carlotta Ferrari, Convention Bureau Italia President, adds: “The upswing in destination weddings has been registered in all Italian regions, thanks to the strong desire to find unique settings such as those in Tuscany, unusual places such as the Trulli, and typical localities such as Masseria.”
The Destination Weddings in Italy Observatory notes that after the pandemic years, couples are making greener choices, with greater awareness about the environment, traditions, and products.
