With a projected 2.1 million passengers, representing 37.3% of the continental total, Italy is leading the sector across 1,075 port calls. Croatia ranks second with an expected 1.61 million passengers, while Greece is set to surpass one million passengers for the first time

The latest Adriatic Sea Tourism Report, prepared by Risposte Turismo, was used to draw on data to highlight the health and outlook of maritime tourism in the Adriatic region at the eighth edition of the Adriatic Sea Forum in Venice, which is currently underway. The investigation shows a pattern of continuous expansion for the present year, propelled by the cruise and ferry industries, and a gradual improvement of facilities and services for leisure boating. The region's seven countries are covered in the analysis, and updated data on traffic flows are presented alongside extensive financial planning that is aimed at addressing structural shortcomings relative to other Mediterranean macro-regions.

With a projected 2.1 million passengers,

With a projected 2.1 million passengers, representing 37.3% of the continental total, Italy is leading the sector across 1,075 port calls. Croatia ranks second with an expected 1.61 million passengers, while Greece is set to surpass one million passengers for the first time. Albania has shown the largest percentage increase, with an estimated 15.9% growth in passenger numbers and 29.9% growth in ship calls. Corfu retains the top spot among individual ports for the seventh consecutive year, reaching one million passengers, followed by Dubrovnik, Kotor, and Bari. Venice is still in the top five, with an estimated 530,000 passengers, though a 9.3% decrease is predicted compared to 2025. Notable surges include Ravenna, which is forecast to receive 390,000 passengers, and Bar in Montenegro, which anticipates a 78.5% increase. 

The ferry, hydrofoil, and catamaran sector

The ferry, hydrofoil, and catamaran sector is a clear example of strategic stability. In 2026, passenger traffic is projected to reach 20.6 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 2.1%.

In terms of leisure boating

In terms of leisure boating, Risposte Turismo has pinpointed 347 facilities — encompassing marinas and tourist ports — with 93% concentrated in Italy and Croatia, which have 189 and 133 ports, respectively. The Adriatic region has seen a 1.3% increase in total berthing capacity since 2024, reaching a total of 81,710 spaces. Regarding the boat charter market, which covers both sailing and motor vessels, operators report a more favourable outlook than in recent years, primarily driven by dynamic local demand. Francesco di Cesare, President of Risposte Turismo, has highlighted that the region's economic development depends on increasing the number of berths dedicated to transient vessels and long-range touring traffic. At present, these account for approximately 20% of the area's total capacity, with a higher concentration on the eastern shore compared to the western one.

Related: Italian cruise market: Grow to almost 15 million passengers in 2025

An analysis of industrial plans for the 2027–2030

A total allocation of over €843 million has been earmarked for upgrading the port network and maritime tourism facilities in the 2027–2030 period, according to an analysis of industrial plans. Of this amount, more than €573 million is earmarked for cruise and ferry-related projects, while €270 million will be invested in the nautical sector, including the construction of seven new marinas. De Cesare commented on this, noting that the sector is robust and well-supported by significant public and private investment, as shown by the dynamics of maritime tourism. However, he also pointed out that future development will depend on the strategic priorities of individual countries, the upgrading of quays, and the management of mobility and accessibility links between the coast and the hinterland.

Key coastal initiatives

The main projects on the coast are about making the environment better and managing traffic. Venice will get a lot of money for looking after and dredging the Vittorio Emanuele and Malamocco-Marghera canals, and for building two new berths for cruise ships at Porto Marghera. The cost of all this will be €72 million. The strategy for Venice and Chioggia, as confirmed by Matteo Gasparato, President of the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority, aims for a sustainable development model. This model is centred on the redistribution of traffic across multiple landing points and the investment in the electrification of quays.

The ports of Trieste and Monfalcone

In turn, the ports of Trista and Monfalcone will proceed with upgrading their cold-ironing capabilities and carrying out major maintenance on the Bersaglieri Pier. Further south, Ancona is set to complete a new €7.2 million passenger terminal by 2027 and begin work on the Clementino Pier. Meanwhile, the Apulian ports of Bari, Brindisi and Termoli are set to invest over €70 million in dedicated terminals and electrification. In the recreational boating sector, new marinas are being developed in Otranto and at Bari’s San Cataldo Pier, with a combined value of €100 million.

The plans for the Balkan and Greek shore

The plans for the Balkan and Greek shores are equally well-defined. Pula is set to invest €130 million in a new passenger terminal and the reconstruction of the breakwater by 2029. Meanwhile, Split will invest €24 million in expanding the San Pietro Pier and the Resnik-Divulje terminal. Significant investments are also planned for Korčula and the port of Dubrovnik, specifically the €22 million Bathovina II project, which aims to relocate scheduled ferry traffic. In Greece, Igoumenitsa plans to upgrade its berths to support cold-ironing systems by 2027. In terms of tourist marinas, Croatia will open facilities at Šešula and Verudela, while Albania is awaiting the completion of luxury complexes at Vlora Marina and Durrës Yachts Marina. Greece, meanwhile, will launch the €50 million Lamda Corfu Marina project.

The forum's programme

The forum's programme, as outlined in a statement by Risposte Turismo, will cover topics such as macro-regional cooperation and the impact of climate change on trade routes. As Montenegro’s Minister of Tourism, Simonida Kordić, and ENIT President, Alessandra Priante, highlighted, the challenge in the near future is to manage the Adriatic region's diversity through shared data, thereby transforming the area into a coherent, integrated, year-round tourism system.

Source: Italy Media

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