La Spezia tourism surges with record arrivals and foreign visitors

La Spezia recorded nearly 378,000 tourist arrivals from January to August 2026, a 4.14% increase year-on-year, with overnight stays rising 5.51% and two-thirds of guests being international visitors. September set a new record by generating 40,000 euros in tourist tax revenue for the municipality. Italian arrivals grew 9.75%, while digital promotion on the Visit La Spezia platform reached 3.4 million views over six months, with 86% of the audience living outside the city. Tourism councillor Maria Grazia Frijia credited participation in national and international trade fairs, digital tools, and integrated cultural, sports, and gastronomic initiatives for the growth. Mayor Pierluigi Peracchini highlighted August's 141,000 overnight stays as a historic record, with plans to continue investing in year-round tourism.