The infrastructure scenario: between delays and accelerations
2026 represents a crucial year for Genoa’s infrastructure, although some of the most anticipated projects are experiencing further delays. The Terzo Valico dei Giovi, whose entry into service was originally expected by 2026, has already seen its schedule slip: as of January 2026 tunnel excavation stood at 94%, with the works due to be completed in spring 2027 and the line not operational before 2028. The postponement had been signalled by Minister Salvini during his visit to the construction sites in February 2025. “The June 2026 deadline, I think, will be revisited not only in Italy but I believe also in Europe because of the high cost of materials and energy, with wars unfortunately still ongoing,” he explained at the time.
The completion of the Genoa railway hub, however, is proceeding according to schedule, with the six-tracking between Genova Principe and Brignole expected for summer 2026. This intervention will increase capacity, reduce bottlenecks and make frequencies and routing more reliable, significantly improving urban and regional mobility.
The Gronda di Ponente, on the other hand, remains “stuck at lot 0,” confirming the structural difficulties that have accompanied this fundamental project for city accessibility for years.
According to the 2025 Report of the Territorial Infrastructure Observatory, presented at Confindustria Genova on 6 March 2026, the completion of the hub with the six-tracking between Principe and Brignole is expected for summer 2026: this means increasing capacity, reducing bottlenecks and making frequencies and routing more reliable.
Cristoforo Colombo Airport: sustained growth and new routes
Cristoforo Colombo Airport is showing decidedly positive signs: the summer season 2026 will offer over 1,375,000 seats, an increase of 10% compared to 2025. This growth stems from the opening of new routes and the strengthening of existing ones.
For the summer season, the Aeroitalia base at Cristoforo Colombo brings two new destinations — Genoa-Salerno from 24 May and Genoa-Alghero from 5 June — plus an additional connection to Olbia from 4 June, all with two weekly frequencies. From May 2 to October 31, 2026, a new inbound charter between Vienna and Genoa will also begin operating, operated by Austrian Airlines for Costa Cruises guests, on a weekly basis with approximately 3,250 total passengers.
According to Vice Minister Rixi, “the opening of Aeroitalia’s new operational base in Genoa and the strengthening of connections with Rome and Sardinia represent a concrete result of infrastructure development policies. Investing in air connectivity means supporting the productive system, promoting tourism.”
Photo by Alessio Sbarbaro — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
The cruise port: economic engine worth 346 million
In 2025, the cruise sector generated a total direct economic impact of 346 million euros in the ports of Genoa and Savona, of which 255 million (73%) attributable to home port activities. These figures confirm the strategic role of the Ligurian port system in the national cruise landscape.
The Western Ligurian Sea port system confirmed itself as Italy’s second cruise hub, with over 2.4 million cruise passengers, +6.1% in 2025 compared to 2024. Specifically, cruise passengers’ spending reaches 100 million euros in Genoa and over 57 million in Savona, with an average spending of approximately 90 euros for home port passengers and just over 44 euros for transit passengers.
The two ports present complementary models: Savona registers a prevalence of home port traffic (53%), while Genoa records more transit passengers (60%). This strategic differentiation maximizes the overall economic returns of the system.
Photo by Alessio Sbarbaro — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
“The cruise sector is not just tourism, but a real industry capable of generating value, employment and widespread development”
— Marco Bucci, President of the Liguria Region, March 2026
Impact on the tourism market and short-term rentals
National tourist overnight stays reached 479.3 million (+2.3% over 2024) with an estimated 146.3 million arrivals (+4.7%). High summer saturation reaches 40% room occupancy, more than Spain and France, with tourism contributing 237.4 billion euros to GDP.
In the short-term rental market, Liguria recorded mixed performance: it lost significant occupancy during summer 2025, but nevertheless increased rates. This trend reflects a transforming market dynamic, where the quality of supply becomes increasingly decisive.
The Fimaa Real Estate Index 2025-2026 highlights a contraction in traditional residential supply in the most attractive neighborhoods, where short-term rental pressure has had a significant impact. In central Genoa, rents reach up to 880 euros/month for an 80 sqm property.
Perspectives and opportunities for property owners
President Bucci highlights the benefits expected from the new infrastructure: “the fact of being able to be connected with Milan in less than an hour, of having freight and passenger lines separated, we also foresee a recovery in the real estate market. Where infrastructure passes, there is wealth in the territory.”
The airport represents “the most immediate lever to increase connectivity in rapid times,” allowing to “make Genoa more accessible and more mobile for businesses, investors and tourism, without having to wait years for construction work.” This increased air accessibility translates directly into opportunities for the hospitality sector.
In the short-term rental sector the outlook remains tied to urban tourism and to the recovery of international events: rising international demand would translate into higher average occupancy, but at present there are no published forecasts on which to base specific estimates.
The challenges of deseasoning and accessibility
Cruise traffic represents “a virtuous deseasoning model,” with the port of Savona recording 791,302 cruise passengers in 2025, up from 752,287 in 2024. This deseasoning offers concrete opportunities for hospitality operators to diversify customer flows throughout the year.
Global cruise sector prospects indicate 33.7 million cruise passengers worldwide in 2025, with forecasts showing fleet growth (+25% by 2035) and capacity expansion (+30%, over 200,000 new berths). The anticipated development involves 77 ships on order over the next 9 years.
The strategic approach combines “heavy infrastructure” and “light infrastructure”: the first changes long-term flows, the second can impact the city’s accessibility perception in shorter timeframes. For property owners, this means both immediate opportunities (airport) and medium-to-long-term ones (railways).
Strategic implications for the tourist real estate market
2026 represents “the year of expected deliveries” and becomes “the year when institutions must demonstrate that the word ‘strategic’ is not a label, but a verifiable commitment in practice”. For the short-term rental market, this translates into a crucial time window to position correctly.
Real estate investment remains a viable option both for short-term and for long-term rentals, with dynamics that still need to be verified location by location.
Developing infrastructure – from airport expansion to the completion of the rail hub, from cruise port growth to long-term projects like the Third Valico – shape a future of greater accessibility and tourist attractiveness for Genoa. For property owners, this scenario presents concrete opportunities for investment appreciation, provided they can correctly interpret the timing and dynamics of these infrastructure changes.
The 10% growth in airport capacity, the 6.1% increase in cruise passengers, and the completion of the railway hub in 2026 are tangible signs of an expanding tourism system, which will require adequate and professional accommodation supply to transform these flows into sustainable business opportunities.
Analysis based on public data and sources. genovabb.it is not a news outlet. The data reported have been collected from sources believed to be reliable but their accuracy is not guaranteed.
