Italy's summer holidays hit by war: hotel and ferry prices climb, flights abroad drop 23%

The war in the Middle East, pitting the United States and Israel against Iran, has upended Italian holiday plans. According to Assoutenti's 2026 holiday dossier, growing numbers of citizens are choosing domestic seaside destinations, driven both by security concerns and by fears over jet-fuel costs and possible airline flight cuts. Those still booking in June for the peak week of 9‑16 August encounter scarce availability.

Domestic stays: limited availability and rising prices

A family of two adults and two children pays an average of €2,025 for a three-star hotel or equivalent, a 12.6% increase compared to the same period last year. The lowest price found was €1,255 in Vieste, Puglia (up from €1,200 in 2025), while costs exceed €1,700 in Veneto resorts, top €2,000 in Sicily, and reach €4,800 in Baja Sardinia.

Ferry tickets hit by fuel surcharges

The conflict in Iran has driven up marine fuel costs, leading to a broad rise in ferry tariffs. For a family of four with a car, tickets are on average 10.9% more expensive than a year earlier. Sample round-trip fares for the night of 8 August to 16 August include €1,665 from Civitavecchia to Olbia, €1,412 from Genoa to Porto Torres, and €1,214 from Livorno. The association flags ferries as the real pain point for those travelling to the islands.

Flights abroad: steep discounts

While domestic ground prices climb, the sharp drop in demand for international travel has pushed air fares down by an average of 23%. Specific examples: a Rome–Crete ticket now costs €308 (–40.7% vs 2025), Rome–Tenerife €323 (–52.6%), Milan–Sharm el‑Sheikh €392 (–34%), Rome–Zanzibar –19%, Rome–Seychelles –23%, Milan–Maldives –18.3%, Milan–Cape Verde –17.6%, and Milan–Zanzibar –17.8%. Even long-haul exotic routes are cheaper than a year ago.

Warning against speculation

Assoutenti president Gabriele Melluso warns that the war-driven market shift could be exploited for unjustified price hikes.

The war in the Middle East has produced a tsunami on the tourism sector, changing citizens' summer choices: more and more people are staying in Italy, and those who are now booking a holiday in a national seaside resort find fewer accommodations available and therefore higher average prices. On the other hand, flying to even exclusive foreign destinations is particularly convenient this year, thanks to the drop in demand for airline tickets linked to the ongoing conflict. However, as always in these cases, the risk is that the war in the Middle East is used by operators in the sector to apply price and tariff increases even for items that have nothing to do with the international geopolitical situation, creating speculation on the summer holidays of Italians.