The indicator analyses the average CO₂ emissions per air passenger, providing a measure of the environmental impact of air transport within the tourism sector. It is based on the division of total CO₂ emissions from passenger flights by the number of passengers transported. In 2023, the emission value decreases to 77 kg CO₂ per passenger, confirming an improvement in the energy efficiency of the Italian aviation sector. However, despite this progress, Italy remains above the levels of some more virtuous European countries, indicating the need for additional strategies for the decarbonisation of the sector.

The indicator monitors the spread of agritourism, a form of tourism integrated into the local territory that helps reduce the impact of infrastructure on biodiversity and the landscape. Between 2003 and 2023, the sector recorded a 101% increase, growing from 13,000 to over 26,000 agritourism businesses. Facilities offering accommodation rose by 97%. Furthermore, "green" activities—especially nature observation—experienced significant growth.

The indicator quantifies the pressure of tourism on the urban waste management system in Italy. It currently represents a recognized proxy for the monitoring of Goal 12 of the 2030 Agenda (SDG 12.b.1). Since 2023, the methodology has been enriched by including not only the official overnight stays in accommodation establishments, but also stays in non-commercial lodgings (second homes, homes of friends or relatives) and same-day visits without overnight stay. The inclusion of these components allows for a more realistic and complete estimate of the equivalent tourist population and, therefore, of the amount of waste generated per equivalent inhabitant.

In 2023, the indicator reached 15.7 kg per equivalent inhabitant according to the new methodology, marking an increase of 53% compared to the value estimated with the traditional method (10.1 kg per equivalent inhabitant).

Tourism continues to be strategic for the Italian economy, yet its attractiveness depends on a healthy environment. The indicator quantifies the atmospheric emissions generated by road-based tourist travel in Italy. In 2023 the automobile remains the main source of every pollutant considered: 93.7 % of CO, 96.1 % of VOCs, 90.2 % of NOx, 86.2 % of PM₂.₅ and 93.4 % of CO₂. “Recreational” vehicles—motorhomes, caravans and vans—have their greatest impact on PM₂.₅ (11.9 %) and NOx (8.1 %). After the post-pandemic peak of 2022, total emissions fell in 2023 by roughly 11–18 % (depending on the pollutant) and remain below the pre-pandemic 2019 levels; however, this comparison may have been influenced by a methodological improvement.

During the pandemic years, 2020 and 2021, the Italian tourism sector experienced a drastic reduction in economic activity due to travel restrictions and virus containment measures. This contraction led to a significant decrease in the value added generated by the sector. However, CO₂ equivalent emissions did not decrease proportionally, as some sources of emissions—such as the maintenance of tourism infrastructure and indirect emissions related to the sector—remained relatively constant. As a result, emission intensity, measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per million euros, increased during those years, as the same or similar quantities of emissions were associated with lower economic output.
In 2022, with the recovery of tourism activities and the increase in value added, emission intensity decreased significantly, falling below pandemic-period levels. This result reflects greater efficiency in the sector, where economic growth outpaced the increase in emissions. Nevertheless, Italy still ranks above the European average, indicating room for improvement in the environmental sustainability of tourism.

In 2023, tourist flows at the borders continue to grow, with a total of 85.7 million foreign visitors, marking an increase of 14.7% compared to 2022. Transit across road borders is confirmed as the most used mode (49.4%), followed by airport transit (47.0%). Italians continue to prefer the car as the main means of transport for their journeys (69.5%), with a slight decrease compared to the previous year. However, train use remains marginal (11.2%), indicating a limited transition to more sustainable means of transport.

The Blue Flag remains one of the most prestigious international environmental labels for beaches and tourist marinas. In 2024, Italy confirms itself as one of the nations with the highest number of awards, totaling 485 Blue Flags for beaches and 81 for tourist marinas, demonstrating a continuous commitment to sustainability in coastal and lake tourist destinations.

This indicator measures Italy's dependence on international tourism markets, particularly long-distance markets, to assess the environmental impact associated with long-haul travel.

As a global tourism destination, Italy is influenced by the distances tourists travel to visit it. Aviation plays a crucial role, significantly contributing to CO2 emissions, which are further exacerbated by the increasing number of tourist arrivals.

Between 2015 and 2019, the tourism sector experienced continuous growth, with the ratio between domestic tourists and those from distant countries remaining stable. This trend was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

However, in 2022 and 2023, the sector showed a strong recovery, with the territorial distribution of tourists from distant origins returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The indicator illustrates electricity consumption in the tourism sector, identified by the ATECO category "Accommodation and Food Service Activities". In 2023, this sector accounted for 4.2% of total electricity consumption in Italy. When considering only accommodation activities—such as hotels, campsites, and other short-term lodging facilities—this share drops to 1.5%. In 2023, within the "accommodation" subcategory, 83.8% of electricity consumption was attributable to "hotels and similar establishments".

Tourism infrastructures, particularly marinas, exert significant pressure on marine and coastal environments. This indicator monitors potential environmental pressure by considering the total number of berths and their distribution per kilometer of coastline across Italian regions. The 2022 data indicate an increase in the number of berths compared to 2021, with a higher concentration in certain regions, implying greater environmental impact on local ecosystems.

The indicator quantifies the accommodation capacity of hotels, complementary facilities, and bed and breakfasts in the territory, as well as estimates the utilization rate of hotels. In 2023, the net hotel utilization index reached 51.5%, the highest value since 1995.

The indicator monitors the impact of tourism on the territory in terms of both volume (arrivals) and the burden placed on the area (overnight stays). It highlights how some regions and autonomous provinces experience high "arrivals per inhabitant" and "overnight stays per inhabitant" ratios, such as Valle d'Aosta (10.9 and 30.0) and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (15.7 and 67.2), compared to the national average of 2.3 and 7.6, respectively. In 2023, all values increased and surpassed those recorded in 2019.

The indicator aims to provide a quantitative estimate of the contribution of tourists to daily potable water consumption.

In 2022, at the national level, the recorded tourist movement consumed 4 liters of potable water per capita equivalent per day.

Between 2015 and 2018-2020, a growth in consumption was recorded, increasing from 3.7 to 4 liters per capita equivalent, followed by a sharp drop in 2020, an anomaly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted global travel.

Among the infrastructures for tourism activities, golf courses have a strong impact on the surrounding environment. The consumption of resources (e.g., water extraction, land occupation, etc.) and the pollution produced, for example, by the use of pesticides, are the main concerns. In response, the Italian golf movement is increasingly directing its development toward an environmentally friendly approach through certifications (GEO) or environmental recognitions. In 2022, the total number of golf courses was 367.

Italian parks host approximately 20.2% of all accommodation establishments and 24.5% of total bed capacity within their territories.

This indicator analyzes accommodation supply (number of establishments and beds) and tourism flows (arrivals and overnight stays) in national and regional parks, also highlighting the pressure exerted on these areas.

The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas (ECST) has been awarded to 80% of national parks and around 11.2% of regional parks.