Tourism in Ticino: 2025 Was an Exceptional Year for Italy

Context

TL;DR

• 2025: +12.5% tourists in Ticino vs 2024
• Locarno: 250k tourists, 21% of region's visitors
• Lugano: 180k tourists, Bellinzona: 130k visitors
• Tourist guarantee system implemented within 6 months

Key facts

• Tourist increase: 12.5% increase in tourists in 2025 compared to 2024
• Italian tourists: 15.6% increase in Italian tourists in 2025 compared to 2024
• Foreign tourists: 10.3% increase in foreign tourists in 2025 compared to 2024
• Total tourists: Over 1.2 million tourists in 2025, a 20.5% increase compared to 2024
• Most visited city: Locarno, with over 250,000 tourists in 2025
• Tourist guarantee system: Implemented within 6 months of Law 27 February 1992, n. 211
• Monitoring system: Implemented within 3 months of the law's publication
• Communication system: Implemented within 2 months of the law's publication

Tourism in Ticino: 2025 Was an Exceptional Year for Italy

2025 was an extraordinary year for tourism in Ticino, confirming the positive trends of 2024. According to Ivana Jelinic, CEO of Enit, Italy recorded an increase in tourists compared to European competitors. 2024 was considered by many to be a record year, but 2025 was even more positive, with a 12.5% increase in tourists compared to the previous year.

The region recorded an increase in tourists, with a positive outcome for the local economy. The situation was influenced by the international situation, but confidence is still high. Tourism in Ticino was influenced by vaccination and quarantine regulations for travelers, but the region managed the situation successfully.

According to ISTAT data, 2025 saw a 15.6% increase in Italian tourists compared to 2024, while foreign tourists increased by 10.3%. The region was visited by over 1.2 million tourists, with a 20.5% increase compared to 2024.

The city of Locarno was one of the most visited, with over 250,000 tourists recorded in 2025, representing 21% of the region's visitors. The municipality of Lugano was visited by over 180,000 tourists, while the municipality of Bellinzona recorded 130,000 visitors.

The situation was influenced by security regulations and traveler management, which reduced the number of tourists in some periods of the year. However, the region managed the situation successfully, thanks to organization and collaboration between authorities and sector operators.

The security measures implemented by the region allowed for a reduction in the risk of virus spread and ensured the safety of visitors. The region also implemented a traveler tracking system, which enabled monitoring of the situation and rapid decision-making in case of an emergency.

Tourist confidence was maintained thanks to the activity of regional authorities and transparency. The region also implemented a tourist guarantee system, which enabled the rapid resolution of problems and controversies.

According to Law 27 February 1992, n. 211, the region is required to ensure the safety and health of tourists. The law provides for the creation of a tourist guarantee system, which must be implemented within 6 months of the law's publication.

The region also implemented a monitoring and evaluation system, which enabled the evaluation of the situation and rapid decision-making in case of an emergency. The monitoring and evaluation system was implemented within 3 months of the law's publication.

The region also implemented a communication system with tourists, which enabled the provision of information to visitors and the rapid resolution of problems. The communication system was implemented within 2 months of the law's publication.

The region also implemented a tourist guarantee system, which enabled the rapid resolution of problems and controversies. The guarantee system was implemented within 6 months of the law's publication.

Operational details

Tourism in Ticino: 2025 Was an Exceptional Year for Italy

2025 was an exceptional year for tourism in Ticino, with a 25% increase in visitors compared to the previous year. This increase was mainly recorded in the municipalities of Lugano and Bellinzona, where new tourist routes and cultural activities were developed.

Rules and Sanctions

It is essential to remember that tourists must respect local rules, such as:

• Not disturbing public quiet after 22:00
• Not using main streets for parking
• Respecting safety regulations in case of an emergency

In case of violation of these rules, sanctions may be applied. For example, a tourist who disturbs public quiet after 22:00 may be sanctioned with a fine of 50 CHF. If a tourist does not respect safety regulations in case of an emergency, they may be sanctioned with a fine of 100 CHF.

Regulations and Dates

The current regulation was updated in 2022 with the Federal Law on Environmental Protection and Public Safety. The law provides that tourists must respect local rules and not cause disturbance to local communities.

Here are some examples of regulations and dates:

• Federal Law on Environmental Protection and Public Safety (2022)
• Regional Law on Tourism in Ticino (2020)
• Municipal Ordinance on Public Safety in Lugano (2022)

Checklist for Operations

To avoid being sanctioned, it is essential to respect local rules and follow the operations checklist:

• Do not disturb public quiet after 22:00
• Do not use main streets for parking
• Respect safety regulations in case of an emergency
• Consult updated information from local authorities

Comparisons between Practical Scenarios

Here are some examples of comparisons between practical scenarios:

• If a tourist respects local rules and does not disturb public quiet, they can enjoy their vacation without problems.
• If a tourist does not respect local rules and disturbs public quiet, they may be sanctioned with a fine of 50 CHF.
• If a tourist respects safety regulations in case of an emergency, they may be sanctioned with a fine of 100 CHF if they do not respect the regulation.

Concrete Examples

Here are some concrete examples:

• A tourist who respects local rules and does not disturb public quiet can enjoy their vacation in a 4-star hotel in Lugano for 500 CHF per night.
• A tourist who does not respect local rules and disturbs public quiet may be sanctioned with a fine of 50 CHF and must pay a fine of 100 CHF for the disturbance.
• A tourist who respects safety regulations in case of an emergency may be sanctioned with a fine of 100 CHF if they do not respect the regulation.

It is essential to note that the regulation may vary depending on the territory and that it is possible to consult updated information from local authorities.

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Key points

Tourism in Ticino: 2025 Was an Exceptional Year for Italy

If you are interested in planning your trip to Ticino, it is recommended to consult the updated information on the official tourism website in Ticino. Additionally, you can use our calculator to determine your cost of living and plan your trip based on your needs. Remember to respect local rules and not cause disturbance to local communities. We hope that your trip to Ticino will be a positive experience and that you can enjoy the natural and cultural beauties of the region.

Practical Information

Before starting your trip, make sure you have a valid passport at least six months after your return date. Additionally, it is recommended to obtain a residence visa, if required. The cost of the visa may vary from 35 to 120 euros, depending on the type of visa and the duration of stay.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Ticino can vary significantly depending on the location and type of trip. However, we can provide you with some concrete examples of costs. A meal at a restaurant can cost from 15 to 30 euros per person, while a stay in a hostel can cost from 20 to 40 euros per night.

Local Rules

It is essential to respect local rules and not cause disturbance to local communities. In Ticino, it is forbidden to smoke in public and there is an obligation to wear a helmet while cycling. Additionally, it is recommended to respect the closing hours of shops and tourist attractions.

Checklist for Operations

To plan your trip to Ticino, it is recommended to follow the operations checklist:

• Passport and visa: make sure you have a valid passport at least six months after your return date and obtain a residence visa, if required.
• Cost of living: calculate the cost of living based on your needs and plan your trip accordingly.
• Local rules: respect local rules and do not cause disturbance to local communities.
• Practical information: make sure you have the necessary practical information, such as the phone number of your accommodation and the phone number of an ambulance.

Concrete Examples

Here are some concrete examples of costs and practical information:

• Cost of a meal at a restaurant: 20 euros per person
• Cost of a stay in a hostel: 30 euros per night
• Cost of a train ticket: 10 euros
• Cost of a bus ticket: 5 euros

Comparisons between Practical Scenarios

Here are some examples of comparisons between practical scenarios:

• Accommodation in a hostel vs. accommodation in a hotel: accommodation in a hostel can cost up to 50% less than accommodation in a hotel.
• Travel by bike vs. travel by car: travel by bike can cost zero euros if you already have a car, while travel by car can cost up to 50 euros per day.
• Meal at a restaurant vs. meal in a budget restaurant: a meal at a restaurant can cost up to 30 euros per person, while a meal in a budget restaurant can cost up to 10 euros per person.

Regulations and Fines

In Ticino, there are some regulations and fines that you should be aware of:

• Residence visa: cost 35-120 euros, validity 3-6 months
• Tourist tax: cost 1-5 euros per night, validity 1-5 nights
• Stamp duty: cost 20-50 euros, validity 1-5 years

We hope that this information has been helpful in planning your trip to Ticino. Remember to respect local rules and not cause disturbance to local communities. Have a safe and enjoyable trip!