Latina’s Proximity Tourism: A Multidimensional Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has renewed interest in proximity tourism as a driver for culturally sustainable local development. Against this backdrop, this study examines the Province of Latina, Italy, evaluating the potential of proximity tourism flows originating from the Metropolitan City of Rome to reduce the socioeconomic and infrastructural disparities that affect the provincial territory. Using a multi-stage quantitative framework, the research identifies key determinants of municipal attractiveness and assesses the structural relationships between tourism activities, economic development, and demographic trends. Results reveal a clear spatial polarization: while coastal municipalities successfully leverage natural and cultural assets for development, they increasingly face challenges related to overtourism and gentrification. Conversely, marginalized hilly and mountainous peripheries remain underdeveloped despite their high heritage value. Empirical evidence suggests that while proximity tourism does not directly drive demographic growth, it acts indirectly as a catalyst by stimulating economic development. The study concludes that proximity tourism can foster territorial cohesion and socioeconomic resilience only when coupled within integrated strategies that improve accessibility, valorize peripheral assets, and keep the added value of tourism embedded within host communities. These findings offer actionable insights for policymakers aiming to transition toward more inclusive and culturally sustainable tourism models in the post-pandemic era.