This study examines the effects of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy (CP) on tourism development at the municipal level in Italy, addressing a gap in the literature that predominantly focuses on broader geographic units such as regions and provinces. The CP aims to reduce inequalities and stimulate economic growth by allocating substantial financial resources to less developed areas across the EU, with a significant portion directed toward tourism—a vital sector for income generation, employment, and trade in services. Italy, a leading global tourism destination with 60 UNESCO World Heritage sites as of 2024, provides an ideal case study to evaluate the localized impacts of these investments. In the two programming periods 2007-2013 and 2014-2020, the EU allocated 11.9 billion euros to culture and tourism in Italy.

This research uses data from OpenCoesione, covering over 2,000 municipalities, to offer the first large-scale analysis of CP's impact on tourism at this granular level. The study spans four programming cycles (2000-2006, 2007-2013, 2014-2020, and 2021-2027) and evaluates all tourism-related projects completed between 2014 and 2022. Key objectives include assessing the impact of CP investments on indicators such as tourist arrivals, overnight stays, and expenditures, and understanding the differential impacts across 2 municipalities. Findings reveal how localized CP investments in tourism contribute to broader economic development, emphasizing the importance of regionally tailored interventions.

The study offers valuable insights for policymakers, highlighting the need for sector-specific analyses and strategic planning to maximize the effectiveness of EU funding in fostering sustainable tourism development and reducing territorial disparities.