Emilia-Romagna's Minister for Tourism, Trade and Sport Roberta Frisoni.
SEVILLE, Spain—The northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna is experiencing a resurgence in tourism, with international arrivals surpassing pre-pandemic levels and growing demand from key European markets, according to the region’s Minister for Tourism, Trade and Sport Roberta Frisoni.
“From 2020 to today we have recorded a consistent increase in Emilia-Romagna in tourist overnight stays and arrivals in the tourism market,” Frisoni told Routes at Routes Europe 2025 in Seville. The region closed 2024 with approximately a 2% increase in both overnight stays and total arrivals compared to the previous year.
“The level of international tourism to our region has largely exceeded pre-COVID values,” Frisoni added. Key international source markets fueling this growth include Germany, France, the Netherlands and Poland.
To support and sustain this growth, Frisoni said the regional government is focused on three strategic pillars: accessibility, sustainability and authenticity. “We want to become an increasingly easily accessible destination. Infrastructure, including air, rail and port connections, plays a fundamental role and must be improved and strengthened,” she said.
Air connectivity is seen as critical to achieving these goals. “Being connected by air with Europe and the world is an essential part of our tourism strategy,” Frisoni said. “Bologna Airport is seeing great numbers of arrivals, and Rimini Airport has implemented an effective development plan for the last few years.”
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New routes secured in recent months include British Airways’ flights to Rimini from London Heathrow Airport, which will begin in May, and easyJet’s new services to Rimini from London Gatwick Airport and EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Airport.
For the first time, the Emilia-Romagna region is pursuing an aligned strategy for its four commercial airports—Bologna, Rimini, Forli and Parma—in a bid to enhance connectivity. “We are working on a regional coordination policy to make our region increasingly connected to the world,” Frisoni said.
Priorities include expanding Rimini Airport’s links to European markets, including Turkey and Eastern Europe. Bologna Airport, the region’s primary international gateway, is aiming to add direct flights to the U.S. and Asia.
Looking ahead, Emilia-Romagna will host Routes Europe 2026 in Rimini—an event Frisoni views as a springboard for even deeper collaboration between tourism and aviation stakeholders.
“Hosting Routes in Emilia-Romagna represents a great opportunity to further develop an integrated strategy for our regional airport network,” she said. “This is a world-class event that will strengthen our positioning as an increasingly attractive tourist destination on international markets.”
Rimini Airport will be served by 10 carriers during the summer 2025 season, according to OAG Schedules Analyser data, with Ryanair accounting for about 65% of total capacity. Ryanair is also the market leader in Bolonga with a 53% share of all seats, as well as holding a dominant position at Forli and Parma airports.
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