Tertiary Economic Activities

The main tertiary activities are tourism and transport.

Tourism

• The Mezzogiorno's tourism industry began to flourish in the 1950s with the introduction of package holidays. This led to an increase in the number of tourists, with the region now attracting over 16 million visitors annually.
• 15% of the Cassa per il Mezzogiorno funds were dedicated to developing the tourism sector. This included building new airports and ferry ports, which improved accessibility and boosted tourism.
• Two-thirds of tourists to the Mezzogiorno come from Northern Italy. The region has struggled to attract international tourists, but recent initiatives, such as Ryanair flights from London to Bari, aim to address this issue.
• The Mediterranean climate, with long spells of hot, dry weather in the summer and mild winters, is a significant draw for tourists. This climate makes the region ideal for beach holidays, walking, and cycling.
• The mountainous areas, such as the slopes of Mount Etna, offer winter sports opportunities like skiing. This diversifies the region's tourism appeal beyond the summer months.
• The Mezzogiorno boasts numerous cultural and natural attractions, including historic sites like Pompeii, the Amalfi coast, and the volcanic landscape of Mount Vesuvius. These attractions draw a diverse range of tourists to the region.

*Ryanair is connects Naples to the rest of Europe *

Transport

• The Cassa per il Mezzogiorno invested €10 billion between 2007-2013 to improve the transport infrastructure. This funding aimed to continue the development initiated in the 1950s, enhancing connectivity in the region.
• Two major motorways were constructed, linking Calabria to Northern Italy via the Autostrada del Sole. This improved internal transport links and facilitated the movement of goods and people.
• The deep water ports of Taranto and Sicily, along with airports such as Bari, have been upgraded. These enhancements support both the tourism industry and industrial activities by improving cargo and passenger handling capacities.
• Partly funded by the Cassa per il Mezzogiorno, the new container port in Calabria is the second largest in the Mediterranean. It employs over 1,000 people and boosts the region's capacity for international trade.
• Despite significant improvements, the transport network in the Mezzogiorno is not fully integrated. This lack of integration limits the efficiency of moving heavy goods, which is crucial for industrial development.
• The region's mountainous terrain has historically hindered the development of efficient transport links. This underdeveloped infrastructure can deter visitors and complicate logistics for businesses, impacting economic growth.

*New Motorways have improved the transport links of the region *

Population Dynamics

The Mezzogiorno's status as a peripheral region have impacted the population of the region.

• The Mezzogiorno covers 40% of Italy's land but is home to only 35% of the population. This imbalance highlights the region's lower population density compared to the rest of Italy.
• Italy's average birth rate is 9.4 per 1,000 people, but in Campania, it is 13.2 per 1,000 people. Campania has a more traditional society influenced by the Catholic Church, though this influence is declining as women become more educated and join the workforce.
• Campania has the highest population density in the Mezzogiorno, supported by its large city and fertile soils. This makes it a significant population centre within the region.
• Italy is in stage 5 of the Demographic Transition Model, characterised by a natural decrease in population. This impacts the Mezzogiorno, contributing to its demographic challenges.
• The Mezzogiorno faces development issues due to organised crime and the Mafia, outward migration of educated individuals, and high unemployment rates exceeding 20%.
• Illegal immigration is a current issue, with Italy receiving up to 50,000 immigrants annually. In 2015, 70,000 illegal immigrants, mostly from Libya, arrived in Italy.
• Migrants contribute to the agricultural sector by providing labour for crop harvesting. However, there are quotas on the number of migrants allowed to work as agricultural labourers, influencing the labour market dynamics.
• The Italian government has secured aid from the governments of migrants' countries of origin. This aid supports industries and services in the Mezzogiorno, helping to integrate migrants and support the local economy.