The fascination with Italy among U.S. residents varies significantly from state to state, as evidenced by a study conducted by Rome Colosseum Tickets & Tours. This research analyzed the average monthly Google searches per 100,000 residents for terms related to traveling to Italy, revealing a clear pattern of interest influenced by cultural connections, heritage, and popular travel spots. New York leads the pack with an impressive 582 searches per 100,000 residents, showcasing its deep Italian-American roots and cultural influence. The state’s interest is particularly highlighted by the popularity of searches for “Lake Como,” with 1,539 monthly searches, possibly spurred by celebrity visits to the area. Following New York, New Jersey ranks second with 465 searches, driven by its proximity to New York and a robust Italian-American community, with “Trevi Fountain” being a favored search term.
In third place, Massachusetts shows 438 searches per 100,000 residents, underpinned by the state’s historical links to Italian immigration, especially in Boston. The search term “Rome” dominates here, reflecting the city’s cultural allure with 8,300 monthly searches. Rhode Island, securing the fourth position with 437 searches, also boasts a significant Italian heritage, with searches focusing on “Colosseum.” Connecticut rounds out the top five with 409 searches, where the interest leans towards “Hotels in Rome,” indicating a focus on planning visits to Italy’s capital. These states demonstrate a keen interest in Italy’s history, art, and cuisine, reflecting their communities’ cultural backgrounds.
Beyond the top five, states like Vermont, California, Florida, Virginia, and Colorado also exhibit notable interest in Italy, though at varying levels. Florida, for instance, ranks eighth with 348 searches per 100,000 residents, where “best time to visit Italy” is a popular query. This trend of searching for optimal travel times, specific destinations, and cultural landmarks across these states underscores the broad appeal of Italy as a travel destination. However, interest wanes in states like Mississippi, which shows the least enthusiasm with only 118 searches per 100,000 residents, possibly due to less cultural or historical ties to Italy. This disparity in search behavior highlights how cultural links, community demographics, and even celebrity influence can shape travel aspirations towards Italy from different corners of the U.S
| Rank | Location | Population | Avg. Monthly Keyword Searches | Keyword Searches (per 100,000 Population) |
| 1 | New York | 19,571,216 | 113,926 | 582 |
| 2 | New Jersey | 9,290,841 | 43,161 | 465 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 7,001,399 | 30,655 | 438 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,095,962 | 4,788 | 437 |
| 5 | Connecticut | 3,617,176 | 14,797 | 409 |
| 6 | Vermont | 647,464 | 2,330 | 360 |
| 7 | California | 38,965,193 | 137,201 | 352 |
| 8 | Florida | 22,610,726 | 78,621 | 348 |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,715,698 | 30,036 | 345 |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,877,610 | 19,358 | 329 |
Magdalena Petrusic, Travel Expert at Rome Colosseum Tickets & Tours commented on the study:
“The study shows that cultural ties, particularly in states with large Italian-American populations like New York and New Jersey, drive strong interest in visiting Italy.
It’s also interesting to note that popular Italian destinations like Lake Como and Rome capture attention nationwide, boosted by their presence in pop culture and global media. This indicates that while heritage is a key factor, the allure of Italy’s iconic landmarks and lifestyle has a broad appeal that transcends cultural background, drawing in travelers from across the US every year.”
