Sardinia: America’s Next Great Vacation Destination

Sardinia is increasingly on the radar of discerning travelers from the U.S., with American arrivals jumping by about 36% from 2023 to 2024, reaching nearly 300,000 visitors, of which roughly 60% landed in the Gallura region—including the famed Emerald Coast (Costa Smeralda).

Since arriving in the U.S. in 2016, we’ve been telling everyone just how special Sardinia is—its unique blend of natural beauty, culture, and lifestyle. Now, we're starting to see the fruits of that effort, as more and more American travelers are discovering this Mediterranean gem for themselves.

Why Americans Are Falling in Love with Costa Smeralda

• Luxury and lifestyle: Costa Smeralda is synonymous with exclusive beaches, upscale marinas, and white‑sand coves framed by rocky promontories—an idyllic match for American boaters and yachting.

• High‑spending visitors: U.S. tourists may rank eighth in volume, but they’re fifth in total spend, averaging €191 per night in 2024, and accounting for nearly €57 million spent across Sardinia—especially concentrated in Gallura’s luxury circuit uniolbia.it+2uniolbia.it+2uniolbia.it+2.

• Yacht culture and private flights: In early summer 2025, private jets from New York area airports began touchdown at Olbia, signaling increasing interest among American super‑yacht owners and high‑net‑worth .

Expanding Access: Direct Flights from the U.S.?

Sardinian authorities have formally expressed interest in airlines to establish direct flights from the U.S. to Olbia and/or Cagliari. A regional tender, announced in late 2024, invited carriers to connect with airports such as New York or Philadelphia—with public funds reportedly allocated to support a new transatlantic. While conventional airlines haven’t launched service yet, these plans signal a strong intent to make Sardinia more accessible to the U.S. market.

Your Local Advantage: Serving American Boaters in Gallura

At 360 Yacht Services, we're proud to have strong ties to the Emerald Coast and the broader Gallura region. Whether you're planning to cruise the crystal-clear waters of Costa Smeralda or simply explore Sardinia by sea, we’re here to help make your experience smooth and enjoyable.

Thanks to our local presence, American boaters and visitors can count on trusted support—from general coordination to helpful insights and on-the-ground assistance—every step of the way.

We’re also constantly expanding our range of services in the area to better meet the evolving needs of our clients.

What’s Next for Sardinia—and Your Visitors

Sustained growth is expected: tourism in Sardinia rebounded strongly in 2024, with foreign arrivals up 21%, and summer traffic up over 8%—while crowding concerns in top destinations like Olbia and Alghero drive the island’s tourism board to diversify and extend the season.

With off‑season hiking, cultural festivals, slow travel experiences and boating excursions across Sardinia’s beautiful coasts, the destination is shaping up as a year‑round option—if air connectivity keeps pace.

In Summary

• Sardinia—and especially the Emerald Coast—is emerging as a favored destination for Americans, both high‑end and experiential tourists.

• Direct U.S. flight service to Olbia is under active exploration by regional authorities.

• We’re positioned perfectly to support the growing flow of American boaters to Costa Smeralda with our local expertise and services.

By combining exclusive boating access, tailored hospitality, and evolving air connectivity, Sardinia is poised to become a must‑visit from the United States—and your operations are right at the heart of that opportunity.