Sardinia Sees Record Easter Tourism, But Flights Become a Luxury
Sardinia is experiencing a record Easter on the tourism front, marking a significant reversal of the trend compared to recent years. According to reports from Agenzia Nova, the island’s accommodation system is recording growing numbers, with an offer that is close to 40 thousand available beds and a significant increase in bookings.
The most significant data, as reported by Agenzia Nova, indicates that for the first time since 2019, the sector is returning to pre-pandemic levels. Supporting demand is a combination of factors, including the holiday calendar, with Easter close to April 25th and May Day, creating a long bridge that stimulates travel, attracting both Italian and foreign tourist flows, with a strong presence from central and northern Europe.
As noted by Agenzia Nova, preferences are diversifying, with tourists no longer solely focused on the sea, but also on culture, archaeology, nature, and food and wine. The average visitor is changing face, becoming more informed, more selective, and more experience-oriented. According to Federalberghi, there has been a 10 percent growth in bookings for the entire season compared to 2024, with peaks between April and June. July also shows signs of recovery, while August remains stable. This suggests that tourism in Sardinia is slowly becoming less seasonal.
Experiential and cultural tourism is emerging as a significant trend, with the rites of Holy Week, visits to Nuragic sites, excursions to parks, and guided tastings in cellars becoming strong points for an offer that wants to differentiate itself. As Agenzia Nova reports, the sacred well of Santa Cristina is recording a surge in requests, a tangible sign of a more aware and motivated tourism. However, this euphoria has a counterweight: flights. As demand increases, airfares skyrocket, with connections to and from Sardinia in the days before Easter reaching off-the-scale prices, often higher than those of intercontinental flights.
Adiconsum Sardegna reports that there have been disproportionate increases in flight prices, with a Bologna-Olbia ticket for April 18 costing 361 euros one way, while from Verona to Cagliari it starts at 325 euros. Even from Rome, Milan, and Naples, the fares largely exceed 240 euros, with peaks that put families and commuters in difficulty. As Adiconsum Sardegna denounces, "An unacceptable imbalance" has been reached, and the association is calling for legislation against the determination of prices through opaque algorithms and speculative dynamics.
In contrast to the rest of the island, Costa Smeralda, historically the engine of luxury tourism, remains at a standstill. Large structures do not open before mid-May, and bookings are at a minimum. The absence of Russian tourism and the overlap between Catholic and Orthodox Easter, which slows down arrivals from Eastern Europe, are weighing heavily on the area. However, in Olbia, operators see Easter as a possible test for the summer, with Fabio Fiori, president of the hoteliers, stating, "The first bookings are arriving. It is a decisive test."
Alghero is focusing on families, launching an integrated package dedicated to children, with organized trips, residence stays, and easy access to museums, caves, and natural parks. The project is supported by the "Family in Italy" network and aims to become a replicable model. The Consorzio Riviera del Corallo confirms the arrival of tourists from Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, and Poland, and focuses on a public-private network to structure a more solid offer.
Looking ahead, there are medium-term opportunities, with Pentecost, June 8, being a key date. In countries like Germany and Switzerland, it is a major holiday, and many operators are counting on a new peak in arrivals. German tourism remains the largest segment, covering 60 percent of international demand, followed by French, English, and Swiss. As the tourism industry in Sardinia continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the sector develops in the coming months.
For more information and updates on Sardinia’s tourism industry, follow Agenzia Nova on their social channels.
Sources:
- Agenzia Nova: www.agenzianova.com
- Federalberghi: www.federalberghi.it
- Adiconsum Sardegna: www.adiconsum.it
