Transport and tourism, an inseparable alliance: the importance of the transport sector

Tourism is based on the physical movement of people, and it is therefore of fundamental importance to have a transport system that is functional and that can facilitate travel to tourist destinations. However, transport is also important in itself because it ensures the freedom of movement for people and reduces social distances, in turn promoting growth and economic development. For this reason, it is necessary to design a transport and infrastructure system that is functional and promotes the accessibility of tourist destinations. Nodal analysis, applied to tourism flows in Italy, highlights the contradiction of a transport system which has enforced the policy of large hubs, in a country where there are many tourist destinations. Nevertheless, the nodal analysis methodology applied to the tourist flows show the need to strengthen the connection between the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts, as well as the connection with some regions of the south, such as the Basilicata region. Moreover, it would be appropriate to enhance the railway line on the Adriatic dorsal in order to reach some tourist regions with greater ease. In the same way, the geographical configuration of Italy makes an enhancement of the ports highly desirable, creating an intermodal system.