For millions of Italians, the summer of 2026 will not coincide with a departure, a trip in search of distant destinations, a ready-to-go suitcase, or a few days spent away from home. It will instead be the season of the staycation, the term born from the fusion of the English words stay (to stay) and vacation (holiday), used to indicate those who choose or are compelled to spend their holidays in their own city or in their own home.
According to a study conducted by Tecnè for Federalberghi, this summer there will be 24.2 million Italians who will not go on vacation during the summer period, equal to 48.5% – almost one in two adults – of the population.
For one Italian in two, no vacations
The figures tell of a summer marked by a strong division between those who will travel and those who, instead, will stay in everyday places. In August, 17.5 million Italians will be on vacation, while another 4.7 million will choose September to grant themselves a few days of rest. A substantial portion of the population, 24.2 million, however, will not move at all during the summer period.
The decision to forego a vacation is mainly linked to the family’s economic situation. For 52.8% of those surveyed, in fact, it is precisely the family’s financial condition that constitutes the main reason preventing them from traveling this summer. Following are the organizational difficulties within the family, cited by 25.7%, and the health reasons affecting 24.5% of the sample.
Among other factors, the rise in prices is noted by 11.2% of respondents, and work commitments affect 10.4%. There is also a share of Italians, amounting to 6.6%, who do not completely renounce holidays, but simply decide to postpone the vacation to another time of the year, perhaps taking advantage of lower prices and reduced tourist crowds.
The staycation mainly affects those over 65
The staycation phenomenon also shows an evident generational gap. It is the older people (over 65) and pensioners who renounce vacations the most. In these segments of the population, the share that will stay home for the entire summer reaches up to 67%, a figure notably higher than the national average.
In light of these numbers, Federalberghi identifies corporate welfare as a possible solution to make vacations more accessible. Among the proposals is raising the tax and social security exemption thresholds for fringe benefits or creating a dedicated threshold for holiday expenses, modeled after meal vouchers.
A supporting role could also come from tourism businesses, through discounted rates in June and September and, more generally, in the low season. For pensioners and people who do not have employment income, instead, the introduction of a system of income-linked vacation vouchers to be used at affiliated accommodation facilities is contemplated.
