La Spezia confirms itself as one of the most sought-after and chosen tourist destinations also in 2023

La Spezia confirms itself as one of the most sought-after and chosen tourist destinations also in 2023

La Spezia confirms itself as one of the most sought-after and chosen tourist destinations also in 2023. An already extraordinary growth in 2022 which recorded record numbers in 2023. This morning the Mayor of La Spezia Pierluigi Paracchini and the Tourism Councilor Maria Grazia Frijia presented the report on tourism data for the months from January to September 2023 at Palazzo Civico.

The 2022 numbers had confirmed it La Spezia is one of the most chosen cities in Italy by tourists. Extraordinary data which in 2023 saw an average increase of almost 20% which places our city in the national, European and international tourist circuit. The numbers speak of constant growth compared to 2022 both in the number of tourists passing through our city and in the number of nights spent; a significant fact proving that La Spezia is a city where tourists stop and visit for several days.

“Important numbers that testify to the great work carried out by this Administration with a view to deseasonalizing and expanding the tourist offer to meet a heterogeneous public - declares the Mayor of La Spezia Pierluigi Peracchini – There were many events: from traditional ones such as the Palio del Golfo, the San Giuseppe Fair, the La Spezia Carnival up to the National Bersaglieri Gathering, the rich programming of the La Spezia summer, the Jazz Festival, the Notte Bianca, And Festival, La Spezia Fantasy; events linked to culture such as the Paleofestival, Spetialis, Libriamoci, the Nights at the Castle, temporary exhibitions in our Civic Museums such as Pieter Brueghel the Younger. The Crucifixion of Castelnuovo Magra. Restoration and comparisons which exceeded 5000 visitors; outdoors and sports such as the Absolute Fencing Championships, the Italian Star Ballet, the National Adapted Hiking Gathering, the Solidarity Sailing Festival, Sport in Piazza, the first edition of the Golfo dei Poeti Cup and it doesn't end here, even winter is preparing to be very interesting with Christmas initiatives, the big New Year's Eve party, the programming of the Civic Theater with important artists and the new project of the Trac Festival which will last two months in the suggestive location of the chapiteau in the external spaces of the PIN. But not just events: we have a new tourist website and signage with QR Codes in all the languages ​​of the world through which you can get information on four different city itineraries to travel on foot; we have rediscovered the city's history by returning forgotten cultural sites to the city such as the Valdilocchi Battery, the Quintino Sella Gallery, the Parco della Rimembranza, the Parco delle Mura and undertaken important activities for the sustainable development of the territory with La Spezia Green which has led us to be in sixth position in the national Urban Ecosystem ranking as also highlighted by the study developed by The European House Ambrosetti, which shows how La Spezia performs better than the Ligurian and Italian average in environmental matters; as well as significant investments in the decoration and maintenance of the territory. La Spezia is increasingly becoming a city of good living capable of welcoming an international public who chooses it not only for its scenic beauty, but also for the numerous opportunities it is able to offer." 

A success resulting from large investments and targeted actions carried out in recent years by the Peracchini Administration which has initiated a policy aimed at tourism development in the city by investing over 10 million euros in tourist infrastructures, services, cultural and entertainment events distributed throughout the year, large trade fairs and sporting events capable of attracting the public 365 days a year. Today anyone who comes to La Spezia in any part of the year will find a lively and lively city capable of offering its guests unforgettable experiences.

Important investments also in terms of presence at the main tourism fairs. The Municipality of La Spezia is constantly present at the most popular Italian events dedicated to tourism, bringing its offer. Some important projects were then completed which, for example, saw the return to the city of approximately 5 thousand square metres, previously intended for port activities, which were returned to the city allowing the sea front to be made increasingly more beautiful with new commercial activities and which they will also allow the creation of a new cruise station capable of accommodating cruise ships in the best possible way. And again: the doubling of the interchange car parks which are under construction as well as the new Migliarina station “5 terre express”. Finally, a new internet portal dedicated to the city was created www.visitspezia.it and then the new multimedia signage which, in addition to suggesting routes, also explains, through the use of smartphones and QR-codes, the landscape and architectural beauties of the city.

The number of attendances recorded from January to September 2023 is 584.574 which marks a +14,06% more than the previous year but the most interesting data are the monthly presences which reach the maximum peak in the months of July and August, but always record important numbers proving that the policies on deseasonalisation are successful. As regards the nationality of the tourist /customer, we observe the preponderant presence of French tourists, but also Germans, Chinese, English, Australians and others +38.44% of American tourists.

La Spezia is therefore a real point of reference tourism in Liguria.