September 2026 marked the best result ever for hotel accommodation in Northern Sardinia. The sample analyzed was 111,480 monthly beds, distributed across 50,070 rooms, while the average room occupancy rate stood at 85% , up from the 82.92% recorded in September 2025.
Data from Federalberghi Confcommercio Nord Sardegna confirms that September's capacity to generate occupancy is now comparable to that of the central summer month, differing by only one percentage point in terms of occupancy.
The international market is driving demand. Three out of four tourists are foreigners: Germans, French, Spanish, Swiss, and Polish are the leading ones. However, the distribution is uneven. In the Sassari area, the Italian market maintains a significant presence, accounting for approximately 50% of the total, while in Alghero and Castelsardo, the foreign component reaches 85%. These two cities also have nearly 90% occupancy rates.
The consolidation of international tourism represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. The destination appears increasingly exposed to foreign demand and will therefore need to adapt standards, services, accessibility, and accommodation capacity to meet the expectations of different markets. Investments in accommodation facilities cannot be limited to aesthetics: they also involve energy efficiency, comfort, digitalization, staff training, multilingualism, and services that can retain visitors longer.
The increase in room rates has been partially absorbed by the market, but spending power has not automatically translated into higher revenues for all sectors. The situation appears more complex for food and beverage services and bars within accommodation facilities, where customers appear to be more attentive to spending. This suggests that international tourism may be able to sustain higher prices for overnight stays, but not necessarily lead to a proportionate increase in ancillary consumption.
October, on the other hand, appears to be a transitional month . Initial estimates indicate occupancy around 65% of maximum capacity, with room rates returning to near May levels. The first hotel closures generally occur around October 18th, although a growing number of operators are choosing to stay open until the end of the month.

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