In its last report referring to the first half of 2008, The Bank of Italy stated that 77% of the Sardinian economy is focused on the tertiary sector. The industrial sector is underdeveloped and in deficit , while Tourism and Trade keep expanding. The tourist flow has increased by 4% , with a growth in the airport flow (+ 9,8%) and a reduction in the port flow (-1,1%).

Tourist Market

Together with the Italian tourists, the majority of them coming from northern and the central Italy, in the last few years the number of English, German, French, Swiss, Austrian and Russian people visiting Sardinia has increased. A growth trend of the Hungarian and Japanese flow can be also registered.
For years Sardinia has been renowned all over the world as a haunt for international jet-setters, like Switzerland, Monte Carlo and Dubai. Sardinia means luxury vacations.
But with the Low Cost phenomenon Sardinia has opened its doors to young tourists and family groups. In the last few years a new type of holidays has taken place and holiday makers choose to come to Sardinia throughout the whole year and not just in the summer. For the time being tourism is mostly developed along the coasts, but Sardinia has also plenty to offer inland.

The tendency of the tourist market suggests the winning formula is that of the tailored offers comprising several activities that suit not only the individual but also small groups. They are the so-called “Theme Holidays”. People don’t only travel to visit new places, but also to meet people, to understand new cultures, to taste new flavours, to experience new types of physical and mental wellness. People travel to taste different food, to play sport, to dance, to meditate, to improve their knowledge, to take care of their body. And above all, people travel all year round during the weekend or just for a week.