Capacity is expanding from Graz and Rome, but local costs are rising to match. Olbia anticipates record volume by hiking the tourist tax to €3.50 per night.
Eurowings is slashing travel time from Graz to Olbia to just 1.5 hours starting May 22, 2026. This opens a direct funnel from Styria, a wealthy demographic that favors upscale thalasso spas and yacht charters. Sardinia Promozione projects a 10-15% inbound growth from Austria, specifically targeting Costa Smeralda luxury inventory.
By securing 5 out of 6 Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes, AeroItalia ensures consistent, government-backed connectivity to Rome and Milan. For operators, this means the "domestic baseline" volume is secure, reducing the risk of seasonal fluctuation for mainland Italian guests.
In clear anticipation of higher tourist volume, Olbia has raised the city tax from €2.00 to €3.50 per person per night (capped at 7 nights). This creates a new price floor. For a family of 4 staying a week, the tax bill alone is nearly €100. This signals that the municipality believes the market is strong enough to pay.
| Source | Why it is relevant | Link |
|---|---|---|
| TravelAndTourWorld (AeroItalia) | Details on the 5 new PSO routes securing domestic connectivity for 2026. | Open source |
| TravelAndTourWorld (Eurowings) | Details on the Graz-Olbia route and the projected 10-15% inbound growth from Austria. | Open source |