Introduction: Resort Development and Management is one of the major part in the modern

Tourism Industry. As a student of Tourism and Hotel Management we must learn we must know
the value and importance of Resort Industry in the world’s economy. We have to know the
background of resort Business. This assignment focuses the History of The Italian Resort
Industry. Before that a short history of Resort, general information of Italy and its tourism
industry are given bellow—

Resort: A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or
vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single
company. Such a self-contained resort attempts to provide for most of a vacationer's wants while
remaining on the premises, such as food, drink, lodging, sports, entertainment, and shopping.
The term "resort" sometimes is misused to identify a hotel that does not provide the other
amenities required of a full resort. However, a hotel is frequently a central feature of a resort,
such as the Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island, Michigan. A resort is not merely a commercial
establishment operated by a single company, although in the late twentieth century this sort of
facility became more common. There are different types of resort, such as Destination resort,
All-inclusive resort, Spa resorts, Golf resorts, Ski resorts, Seaside resorts, Luxury resorts,
Megaresorts and Historical resorts etc.

History of Resort: The concept of leisure resorts is not a product of the modern age, but in
fact resorts have been in existence for many centuries. Historically, the oldest resorts can be
traced back to the Roman empire of nearly two thousand years ago. The ancient Romans created
a public leisure facility known as Baths that could be used by both men and women separately.
Gradually the baths evolved from their modest structure to include more extravagant facilities
such as a gym, a library, restaurant, stores, lounge, tavern and even a museum and a theater. In
Europe the earliest spa resort was developed in Belgium in the fourteenth century in a town that
is now known by the name of Spa. It was believed that the natural waters of this town were rich
in iron and other minerals that had miraculous healing properties. That led to the popularity of
this resort. The popularity of spas and resorts in England is a result of King Charles II visiting
trendy hot spots in the 1600s. Today, royalty and superstars still seem to set trends of where the
best places to go are.
General Information about Italy & Its Tourism Industry: The official name of
Italy is “Italian Republic”. Total population is 60.3 million; Italy has the fifth-highest population
density in Europe--about 200 persons per square kilometer (about 500 per sq. mi.). Roman
Catholicism is the majority religion--85% of native-born citizens are nominally Catholic--all
religious faiths are provided equal freedom before the law by the constitution. With more than
43.7 million tourists a year, Italy is the fourth highest tourist earner, and fifth most visited
country in the world, behind France (76.0 million), Spain (55.6 million), United States (49.4
million), and China (46.8). People mainly come to Italy for its rich art, cuisine, history, fashion
and culture, its beautiful coastline and beaches, its mountains, and priceless ancient monuments,
especially those from the Greek civilization and Roman civilization. Tourism is one of Italy's
fastest growing and most profitable industrial sectors, with estimated revenue of $42.7 billion.

Resort History of Italy: No other country in the world has as rich a history of artistic and
intellectual creativity as like Italy. Italy has some of the world's most ancient tourist resorts,
dating back to the time of the Roman Republic, when destinations such as Pompeii, Naples,
Ischia, Capri and especially Baiae were popular with the rich of Roman society. Pompeii is
currently Italy's third the world's 48th most visited tourist destination, with over 2.5 million
tourists a year
The first baths were built here in 1540, but was destroyed fifteen years later. Recovering started
from the 18th century, when the first bath resorts were built. In the 20th century it became one of
the most renowned health resorts in Italy. The first sea-side resorts, such as those in the Ligurian
coast, those around Venice, coastal Tuscany and the Amalfi coast became popular. This vogue of
summer holidays heightened in the 1890s and 1900s, when the first "Grand Hotels" and holiday
resorts began to be built, notably in Sanremo, Lido di Venezia, Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi.
Resorts such as Rimini became popular with Italians in the 1960s and 70s.

The late-1960s also brought mass-popularity to mountain holidays and skiing, which, from the
1930s, was something reserved for the elite. In Piedmont and the Aosta Valley, ski resorts and
chalets began to be built. The 1970s also brought a wave of foreign tourists to Italy, since
Mediterranean resorts saw a rise in international visitors.
Types of Resorts in Italy: Resorts in Italy are full of the joy of life that characterizes the
Italian mindset. There are mainly three types of resorts in Italy. Mainly three type of are most
common in Italy— The Ski resorts, the Spa resorts, and the justly famous Seaside resorts.

Ski Resorts in Italy

The ski resorts in Italy are located to the north and the west of the country, in the great Alps and
the imposing Dolomites in the east. The huge snow capped mountains, the impressive sheer drop
glaciers and the challenging ski routes all offer a thrill unparalleled to both the newbie as well as
the expert skier. All of the ski destinations are accessible within a couple of hours from the
nearest major airport. It's viable to go from majestic peaks draped in snow to world-famous
structures or a memorable night at the opera in the city in the space of a single day. Sestriere, in
the Piedmont region and Ponte di Legno, between Lombardy and Trentino region, in the
province of Brescia, are two of the most renowned ski resorts in Italy. The first Italian town to
host the Winter Olympics way back in 1956, Cortina has remained one of Italy's most popular
ski resort and remains one of the best ski resorts in Italy and indeed Europe. Top ski resorts in
Italy—
Cortina
The first Italian town to host the Winter Olympics way back in 1956, has remained one of Italy's
most popular ski resort and remains one of the best ski resorts in Italy and indeed Europe.
San Vito
It is not a candidate as one of the best ski resorts in Italy but it is a typical little Veneto mountain
village and an ideal place to get away from it all while enjoying some pretty good skiing with
slopes ranging up to 1600 meters.
Falcade
The Falcade ski resort has some of the best skiing in the Dolomites. Over 100kms of runs and
around 60kms of cross country runs with 28 lifts and excellent snow making capability means
you are assured of good skiing throughout the season.
Asiago
Asiago is the major resort in Piovene Rocchette and is particularly well known for its 500
kilometers of Nordic or cross country routes which are used to host the dog sled races that are
held here during the winter.

Spa Resorts in Italy

Through out the world the Spa resorts in Italy spell the most exquisite luxury as well as
rejuvenation. These spa resorts in Italy mainly in the Emilia Romagna region stay open from
April to November, and their wholesome spring waters are composed of sulfurous and/or
sodiobromidiodic waters. The spa resorts in Italy offer a host of services like baths with hydro
massage, ozone, micro-bubbles, mud baths, inhalations, rhinogenous deafness, massotherapy,
macro- shiatsu treatment, aesthetic cures, prevention of cardio-vascular disease with personalized
programs. Some famous Spa resorts are—
Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort
The Medici family built this spa. It offers a host of signature treatments that are aimed at
rejuvenating the body. These include Derma-Cellular Therapy that helps prevent and reduce
cellulite through the promotion of venous-lymphatic drainage.
Spa & Wellness Resort Adler Thermae
A Unique Spa Retreat for a Relaxing and Regenerating Holiday in the very heart of Tuscany. It
is located in the perfect natural setting of the Orcia Valley, in Tuscany. It offers a unique
combination for a perfect escape into physical and spiritual wellness, a regenerating pause from
the pressures of everyday life.
Terme Di Saturnia Spa Resort
One of the world’s premier year-round health centers. The warm sulphurous waters of the
Tuscan Maremma have been cherished for more than 3,000 years. It was built early this century
and recently expanded and beautifully renovated
Mezzatorre Resort & Spa
Quiet and secluded seaside location with a renowned Spa offering a wide range of treatments.
The ideal place for a relaxing vacation. Open from April to October 2007.
Seaside Resorts in Italy
The huge Italian coastline offers a splendid array of Italy Beach Resorts. From the small and neat
Camogli and Portofino to the very magnificent Genoa or Lido or Riccione. These beach resorts
in Italy offer a immense possibility in terms of activity or leisure. Travelers to these havens can
expect to lose themselves in bustling crowd or tranquil loneliness, do scuba or deep sea diving,
engage in other hiking and water sporting action or completely give themselves up to a
hedonistic experience of the Mediterranean cuisine and the Riviera sun on pristine beaches.

All these places provide accommodation suitable for both the budget traveler and the luxury
tourist. Whether it’s just bed and breakfast or a luxurious serviced villa it is alls available at just
deals, to make these holidays unforgettable. Rimini is one of Italy's most popular beach resorts
and one of the largest in Europe. Rimini also has Roman ruins, an interesting history and
museums. It is on the east coast of Italy on the Adriatic Sea.