Domestic tourism in Bergamo-Brescia Italian Capital of Culture 2023

Positive tourism feedback for Bergamo and Brescia, the two Italian Capitals of Culture 2023.

Following the Covid_19 pandemic, domestic tourism has increased in these two cities since 2022 and before the pandemic too (2018): Lombardy visitors’ interest has grown from +84% (2018) to +95% (2023).

According to the latest research, Bergamo is preferred by 35%-42% of Italians coming from the regions of Piedmont, Liguria, Calabria and Sardinia.

On the other hand, Brescia is preferred by 38%-53% of Italians coming from the regions of Lombardy, Trentino Alto Adige, Veneto and Emilia Romagna.

In the other remaining regions, local tourism is predominant, comparing to the two Italian Capitals of Culture 2023.

In particular, Lazio, Valle D’Aosta, Tuscany, Sicily and Marche are, in order of preference, firstly interested in their local, regional tourism (around 40%).

Furthermore, it is estimated that the three main reasons for increased inbound tourism in Bergamo and Brescia (2023) are: scheduled events, in particular, the ‘Festival of Lights’ or ‘Light is Life’, easy accessibility to both destinations and respective tourism attractions together with the promotion of cultural and leisure activities, the tragic Covid_19 pandemic Memorial in Bergamo.

In conclusion, domestic tourism has been seriously affected by ‘Coronavirus’ in these two towns, but final reports are now encouraging with economic regrowth and post-pandemic socio-health recovery.