Trips and holidays in Italy and abroad

The information contained in the attached tables refers to the quarterly Holidays and trips survey conducted by Istat in 2008 on tourism demand by residents. The survey aims at quantifying the trips (with overnight stays) made by residents both within Italy and abroad and at providing information on the types and patterns of such trips. The survey target population, i.e. the collective set of the statistical units under investigation, is made up of resident households in Italy and their constituent members (Italian citizens and foreigners resident in the household).

Tourism flows are classified according to international standards which distinguish between trips for work purposes and holidays as well as between ‘short’ and ‘long’ holidays. Holidays include trips for the purpose of leisure, pleasure, relaxation, visiting friends or relatives, health treatment and religious reasons. In addition to trips, an analysis is also made of travellers and overnight stays during the holiday.

The preliminary estimates of the main results are routinely issued by Istat in February through the brief statistical report Holidays and trips in Italy and abroad, whereas the definitive results are published in online data tables. The survey results are also available in the form of sample collections of primary data on electronic media.

The tables are accompanied by a methodological description to enable correct interpretation of data.