The one between Italy and tourism is certainly an indissoluble bond, due to a landscape and above all artistic richness that has few equals, it is no coincidence that we are the Country with the most UNESCO sites in the world, 60, one more than China.
In such a panorama, full of attractions that we could define as iconic, such as Rome, Florence and Venice, it is surprising that the destination preferred by foreigners is not one of the usual ones: we are in fact talking about the Maiella National Park, in Abruzzo, the recent winner of the “Destination most appreciated by foreigners” award, received during the 2024 Tourism Oscars ceremony, organized by The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group, held at TTG Travel Experience in Rimini.
The Maiella Parkcharacterized by enchanting landscapes, centuries-old traditions and extraordinary biodiversity, managed to overcome fierce competition: according to the “All data from Italy 2024” report, the Abruzzo region recorded the highest level of satisfaction among foreign visitors , followed by the Prosecco Hills, in Veneto, and the Langhe Monferrato Roero, in Piedmont, two areas renowned for their winemaking and gastronomic traditions.
A recognition based on concrete data
The success of the Maiella Park is not the result of chance, but of a detailed analysis conducted on millions of data and online reviews. The Data Appeal Company monitored over 32 million “digital traces” generated by tourists, examining more than 796,000 points of interest distributed throughout Italy. The reference period runs from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024, and includes accommodation facilities, restaurants, cultural and natural attractions. Thanks to such a large database it was possible to identify the destinations preferred by visitors, offering a complete snapshot of tourist perception.
Why does the Maiella Park conquer?
What makes the Maiella Park so attractive to foreigners is the exceptional combination of natural beauty, outdoor experiences and cultural authenticity. Located in the heart of Abruzzo, the park offers many activities ranging from excursions on mountain paths to the discovery of historic villages immersed in nature, emerging as a particularly suitable destination for anyone looking for sustainable tourism away from the crowds, where it is possible to reconnect with nature and living in harmony with the environment.
The Maiella mountains, often covered in snow even in spring, are home to a varied fauna that includes wolves, Marsican bears and golden eagles, a biodiversity which, combined with wild and uncontaminated landscapes, has positively impressed foreign visitors, who have expressed very high satisfaction levels in online reviews.
Growing tourism
The recognition of the Maiella Park as the destination most appreciated by foreigners underlines the importance of nature tourism in Italy, and places emphasis on current trends, the direction of which often goes beyond the classic destinations, veering towards less conventional destinations, capable of ensuring holidays quieter, far from the masses, and therefore more sustainable. According to the “All data from Italy 2024” report, international tourism is growing, with a 7.4% increase in foreign air passengers registered for the next semester, compared to the same period of the previous year. Foreigners now represent 58.2% of visitors to Italy, with a very high average satisfaction of 84 out of 100.
Water: a patient force
Water is a patient force. Moment after moment, its passage smoothes and transforms the limestone rock. Over the millennia, the swirling waters of the Orta have carved out one of the main valleys of the Maiella. In a distant time, the bed of this river must have been much wider, as demonstrated by the rocky walls and towers that rise hundreds of meters from the course current.The Luchi, a word that comes from an ancient past, testifies to the sacredness of these places, which still retain all their mysterious charm intact today.
Posted by Maiella National Park on Saturday, October 5, 2024
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