Calabria development focuses on peripheral villages and nautical tourism

Regional development strategies in Calabria are focusing on leveraging local identity and maritime infrastructure to drive economic growth. In Reggio Calabria, political representatives Denis Nesci and Serena Mangano have proposed using the village of Arasì as a model for revitalizing peripheral areas. They emphasize transitioning from reactive crisis management to proactive programming that utilizes local traditions, such as the “Calata” religious event, to promote sustainable tourism and social cohesion.

Simultaneously, discussions regarding the nautical sector suggest that Calabria can extend its tourist season by transforming ports into integrated territorial hubs. Claudio Guarascio, President of the Association of Nautical Builders of the Two Seas, argued during a talk in Tropea that ports should function as connections between the sea and the hinterland. By improving services and accessibility, the region aims to create a year-round nautical economy that links maritime arrivals to local gastronomy, culture, and natural resources.