I have chosen to examine the factors that influence the development of tourism in the Mezzogiorno, Southern Italy.

This industry is a key pillar of development in the region. There are many factors leading to the development and success of this industry. The Mezzogiorno has a wealth of culture from the ancient civilisations of N. Africa, Greece and the Roman Empire. Southern Italy has for millennia been a meeting point of cultures from the near East, northern Africa and Europe itself. The region has a typical Mediterranean climate - there are over 300 days of sunshine and less than 500 mm of precipitation. Daily temperatures are high in summer with averages of 27^oC. This is a major attraction for tourists who visit from northern Europe, e.g. Germany and the UK.

There are many attractions both physical and human. The region has an unspoilt countryside with 85% being upland and hilly giving spectacular vistas. Mountains such as Etna, Stromboli and Vesuvius attract thousands of tourists. The seas of the Adriatic and the Mediterranean are other draws to the region as are the beaches and bays, e.g. Sorrento in the bay of Naples. The many small islands, e.g. Capri - part of the Amalfi coastline, also play an important role in this economy. The human impact on the landscape is visible in the many ruins from the various cultures that have inhabited the area, e.g. the Moors, Arabs, Greeks and Romans. Ancient sites, such as Pompeii near Vesuvius, have been developed to attract tourists. There is now well developed infrastructure in place with top class ‘autostrada’ (motorways) and airports, e.g. Calabria.

The Cassa Per il Mezzogiorno, set up to improve the economy of the south, injected money into the tourist sector as has the E.U. through funds such as the E.R.D.F. and the E.S.F. Many are now employed in this industry, especially in the coastal regions. However, tourism can be very seasonal in nature and the industry has not really penetrated the interior of the Mezzogiorno. This relatively unspoilt region will become the next attraction to be developed for tourists.