Tourism is no longer simply synonymous with hospitality and welcome: it is the true economic engine of Italy, and especially of Southern Italy. This was the central message launched by Minister of Tourism Gianmarco Mazzi during the Verso Sud Forum organized by TEHA Group.
While Europe is still struggling to fully understand the sector’s strategic potential, Italy—led by Sicily and the southern regions—is establishing itself as an undisputed model of growth, innovation, and social development. Tourism has become an essential pillar of our economy. The data presented by the Minister paint a picture of strong expansion:
- Impact on GDP: The sector directly contributes 13%, a figure that doubles to nearly 25% when considering the entire economic benefits generated.
- Record-breaking Visitors: In 2025, Italy surpassed the 70 million mark, recording a net 10% increase in arrivals.
- European Leadership: Our country is the second destination in the European Union in terms of number of visitors and length of stay. It also holds the absolute record in the cruise industry, a sector expected to expand further starting in 2027.
The real potential, rapidly and steadily growing, lies in the South. Sicily, Campania, and Puglia remain key regions of this revolution. Southern tourism is increasingly international (40% of the national total is made up of foreigners) and, above all, oriented towards a deep experience of the region.
In the South, “hit-and-run” tourism is not the norm. The average stay is 5.8 days, significantly lower than the 4.2 days recorded in Northern Italy. Those who choose Sicily want to experience the region slowly, immerse themselves in the local culture, and savor an authentic travel experience.
To capitalize on this success and simplify the lives of investors, institutions have implemented concrete and targeted tools:
- The Resto al Sud 2.0 program, designed to incentivize local entrepreneurship.
- The Single Southern Italy Economic Zone (ZES), a key step towards streamlining bureaucracy and administration.
- The allocation of 41% of IFID resources exclusively to the southern regions.
But who is today’s tourist? According to Minister Mazzi, the high-spending visitor is profoundly technologically savvy: “They want to know and experience the world before even reaching their destination.”
Digital word of mouth has effectively transformed every traveler into a global ambassador for Italian beauty, forcing industry professionals to adopt an increasingly focused approach to absolute excellence.
The impact on the labor market is formidable: in the South, tourism generates over a third of new jobs for those under 35.
To keep this trend alive, investing in top-level training is crucial. Only in this way can we guarantee quality services and stable employment. This strategic vision also looks beyond the Mediterranean, connecting with the Mattei Plan for Africa to develop valuable professional training programs for North African countries.
Source: Intervento del Ministro Mazzi al Forum Verso Sud
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