Adapted by:
Miguel Jorge
WriterJournalist. I've spent more than half of my life writing about technology, science, and culture. Before landing here, I worked at Telefónica, Prisa, Globus Comunicación, Hipertextual, and Gizmodo. I'm part of Webedia's cross-section team.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
In contrast to overcrowded cities such as Venice and Rome, other Italian enclaves look on with envy as the economies and investments generated by the influx of tourists take shape. One example is Bari, which until recently was a marginal port city plagued by high crime rates. It then decided to embrace tourism and transform the city.
However, this decision has left many with serious doubts about its consequences.
A hidden gem. The New York Times recently reported that Bari has transformed from a secondary stop on the way to more famous destinations in Southern Italy or the Greek islands into an unexpected player in European tourism. Antonio Maria Vasile, the director of Puglia’s airports, is mainly responsible for this change. Vasile successfully established the first direct flight between Bari and New York City. This connection serves as a symbolic bridge between the region and the millions of Italian-Americans who share its heritage.
With this international link, Bari aims to position itself not as a neglected part of Southern Italy but as a vibrant center of culture, history, and gastronomy. Although its old town had been associated with crime and neglect for years, the city has undergone an urban renaissance. This has resulted in waterfront promenades, cafes, cultural routes, and, more importantly, improved safety. The recent transformation has restored a sense of pride among its inhabitants that had been dormant for a long time.
A popular destination. Puglia has gradually attracted celebrities, investors, and tourists with its blend of crystal-clear seas and baroque architecture. Its rural hospitality and understated luxury also have tourist appeal. Bari is beginning to reap the benefits of this attention, solidifying the region as a new center of Italian charm.
Bari is home to the tomb of Saint Nicholas, and the historic area of Bari Vecchia has been thoroughly refurbished. There, medieval churches and street vendors selling orecchiette compete for the attention of visitors with the local focaccia. Strolling through the historic center, once dominated by mafia clans, is now a shared experience for tourists and locals alike. Neighbors are rediscovering the city from a fresh perspective.
In other words, the narrative of a poor and forgotten southern city is evolving into one of modernity, heritage, and opportunity.
Gentrification. However, this surge in tourism brings challenges. Bari’s newfound popularity has caused rental prices in the city center to soar. This is displacing pensioners and students and putting pressure on the young population that represents the city’s demographic and creative future. The widespread conversion of homes into tourist rentals has emptied traditional residential areas, mirroring trends observed in other overcrowded cities, such as Venice, Barcelona, and Lisbon.
As a result, many fear that after rebuilding its identity, Bari risks losing it due to the pressures of a seasonal and fragile economic model. Critics also highlight the lack of investment in public transport, a critical shortcoming that hinders residents’ daily mobility and the seamless integration of tourist flows. “If you want to rent a Ferrari in the airports of Puglia, it is not a problem. The problem is finding a bus,” Vasile told The New York Times.
Between authenticity and fanfare. The outlet also reported that Bari’s revitalization has been so profound that those who remember it in its most decadent days hardly recognize it anymore. Formerly neglected neighborhoods shine with cultural routes, film festivals, and a nightlife that has begun to clash with the traditional social fabric. This was recently demonstrated when neighbors threw buckets of water to disperse the crowds of tourists at the St. Nicholas festival.
The enthusiasm coexists with the unease common in many other places around the world. Can a city reinvent itself without losing its identity? Can it attract visitors without blurring its essence? The answer remains unclear. In the meantime, Vasile envisions a future where Bari doesn’t rely on fleeting summers or celebrity names but instead focuses on a deep and sustainable development. He believes the flights from New York City shouldn’t merely signify increased tourism. “We have become aware of new possibilities,” he says.
Time will tell whether the city can turn these possibilities into reality without losing its essence along the way.
Image | Sarolta Balog-Major
Related | Venice Introduced a Fee to Curb Crowds. Now Japan Is Doing the Same
View 0 comments