Tourism's impact on Italian cities: a critical analysis
Stefano Monti argues that Italy's over-reliance on tourism as an economic driver is a strategic mistake. He describes how cities transform their economies to cater to tourists, leading to homogenization, loss of local character, and vulnerability to shifts in tourist preferences. Monti advocates for territorial development that prioritizes endogenous growth and local production over marketing to external consumers. He cites definitions of territorial marketing and territorial development to distinguish between the two approaches.
Key facts
- Tourism has become a dominant industry in Italy, reshaping cities and territories.
- Monti warns that converting local economies solely for tourism is a misjudgment.
- He describes a typical transformation: increase in hospitality, franchising, and public investment in tourism infrastructure.
- Local businesses and artisans are displaced by tourism-oriented services.
- The city becomes dependent on a volatile tourist market.
- Monti calls for investment in non-tourism economies and support for local businesses.
- He distinguishes between territorial marketing (demand-driven) and territorial development (endogenous).
- The article is published on Artribune, an Italian art and culture magazine.
Entities
Institutions
- Artribune
- Monti&Taft
Locations
- Italy