How Italians' way of travelling is changing The eDreams and Booking report explains the most searched destinations and what drives Italian travellers to set off

A Year in Travel, the end-of-year report by eDreams and Booking, reveals the favourite destinations and new habits of Italian travellers expected for 2027. The travel sector remains ever popular, but many things change from year to year: artificial intelligence is taking the place of travel agencies, new formats are being organised for solo travellers who want to meet new people, and some people choose to travel in search of something unusual. In 2026, Italians favoured short and medium-haul destinations, with Barcelona, Tirana and Paris leading the way. Among domestic destinations, Catania stands out, followed by up-and-coming cities such as Turin and Naples. The length of stays is also changing: 37% opted for three or four-day getaways, while 69% preferred stays of one or two nights. This confirms a trend towards shorter, more frequent trips, at the expense of longer holidays.

The cities that never go out of fashion

According to the report, some it-destinations maintain their status: Paris, Madrid and London remain among the most booked cities by Italians for 2027 flights. Sharm el-Sheikh and the iconic New York also secure a place in the top ten most popular destinations, while Rome is the only Italian destination to appear in the rankings, remaining a timeless destination even for visitors from abroad: it is the fourth most booked destination for international flights and the top destination for international hotel bookings, surpassing even Milan and Barcelona.

Italian searches extend to more far-flung destinations, with Tokyo leading the way, but major events are increasingly influencing choices too, with music confirming itself as one of the most powerful drivers of tourism. Eurovision, for instance, caused searches for Bulgaria to surge by 390%, while BTS and Oasis concert tours generated a +43% increase for Australia and spikes of 2,380% for Glasgow and 1,605% for Munich, respectively.

Weekends and city breaks win over Italians

Other habits are changing too: solo travel, for example, has become widespread among more than a third of travellers, who feel a greater need for freedom and independence than a desire to travel with others, coordinating itineraries and reconciling different wishes. For 23% of Italians and Spaniards, travelling represents an opportunity to feel more in tune with the world around them. Others (77%) choose to travel to do something that goes against their own personality, while still others (81%) choose their destination based on how they want to feel. Many people (47%) also use travel as a coping mechanism to deal with difficult moments as a couple, or as an opportunity for sports enthusiasts to meet new people. The destination thus becomes a choice upon which the impact of the experience on the traveller's life depends: the need to feel surprised, moved, to relax and to discover.

Social media continues to influence destination choices: Instagram, TikTok and other platforms guide 44% of Italians in selecting their destination. On the technology front, artificial intelligence is seen as an ally for lightening the workload: 64% would be interested in delegating certain tasks to it during their holidays. Wellbeing is becoming a priority even on the flight itself: 89% of travellers would take a long-haul trip if they were guaranteed to arrive well-rested. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that there is growing interest, among those who can afford it, in premium cabin classes.