I study trips are confirmed among the educational investments most appreciated by Italian families. Learn or even simply improve a foreign languagecoping with different cultures and the acquisition of autonomy will remain central objectives even in 2026 in the field of education, but the market is changing: today, in fact, the choice of a program depends more and more on the quality of the organizationfrom the proposed protections and from the confidence of the operators, in an international context still marked by economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
This is highlighted by theASTOI Confindustria Viaggi Observatory – Education Sectorwhich analyzes the trend of reservations for high school programs, study holidays abroad and study stays in Italy. The survey shows a stable general sector, with the High School in progresssummer study holidays are slowing down and study trips to Italy are on the rise. The geography of departures has also changed: the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States and Canada remain the reference destinations, while requests towards new Asian destinations are growing, in particular. Japan and Korea.
High school and study holidays, the most requested destinations
Of all the formulas available, High School programs remain the most stable segment of the Education sector. Attending a quarter, a semester or a whole school year abroad continues to be a very popular choice for families, who consider it. a path of linguistic, personal and intercultural growth able to concretely influence the future of students.
The most frequent profile is that of children between 16 and 17 years oldusually enrolled in the fourth year of high school. hethroughout the school year remains the preferred formula, followed by the semester and, although to a lesser extent, by the quarter.
Even the way of choosing the destination has changed a lot so that, if in the past attention was mainly focused on the destination or the cost of the program, today selection of partner schools like the quality of host familiesguaranteed assistance throughout the stay, the presence of local contacts and of no less importance also the protection offered to students and parents. It can therefore be said that what is rewarded today is above all the ability of specialized operators to accompany each phase of the experience.
On the destination front, however, IrelandUnited Kingdom and Spain are confirmed most popular European destinations thanks to the balance between the quality of the school offer, the geographical proximity and the cultural context. Overseas, the United States remains the main point of reference, followed by Canada, while Australia and New Zealand maintain a consolidated presence among the most popular options.
The real again for 2026 However, it is about Asia. In fact, interest in Japan e South Koreadestinations increasingly sought after by students who want to experience a cultural immersion different from the traditional paths. Demand for the course is also increasing South Africaa sign of an increasingly oriented demand towards diversified international experiences.
As for the summer study holidaysthe sector records a bending average of about 10%, mainly linked to the increase in travel and accommodation costs and the climate of international uncertainty. This slowdown, however, does not reduce interest in the educational value of the experience. Families continue to invest in language programs, moving to destinations considered safe and easily accessible
The participants mainly belong Age group 13-19 years and choose programs two weeks with a partnerstaying mainly in colleges or residences. Alongside language lessons, there is more and more space for activities dedicated to public speaking, leadership, debate, coding, digital skills, environmental sustainability, STEM disciplines and creative professions, turning the study trip into a complete training course.
Study trips to Italy are on the rise
The segment that records the most encouraging results is that of study stays in Italy, for which the ASTOI Observatory estimates a average growth of 7.6% in 2026. These programs are mainly aimed at children between 8 and 13 years and represent, in most cases, the first stay away from the family. The objective goes beyond language learning: participants develop autonomy, relational skills and personal security through sports activities, experiential workshops and educational courses organized in protected contexts.
The good performance of the sector is favored by many elements, such as proximity of destinations makes travel easier, costs are generally lower than international programs and the organization offers families a high level of peace of mind. Among the most requested regions are: Puglia, Sardinia and Sicilyfollowed by Lazio, Emilia-Romagna and Trentino-Alto Adige, showing an increasingly wide offer distributed throughout the national territory.