Policy makers need timely, granular and robust tourism data to better understand tourist behaviour, preferences and trends, assess tourism impacts and competitiveness, and design targeted policies and strategies. Better-informed and evidence-based decision-making helps balance the benefits and the impacts of tourism to support residents and local economies, preserve the natural environment and maintain cultural attractions. This paper provides support to the Ministry of Tourism in Italy to strengthen tourism statistics and enhance the capacity for evidence-based decision-making. It maps the current tourism data ecosystem, including key stakeholders, data and statistical sources, and reflects upon relevant policies, organisational structures, and governance frameworks. It then identifies key challenges and opportunities to enhance tourism statistics in Italy, and explores opportunities to build capacity, before concluding with a selection of policy considerations.
