Tourism in San Marino

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Tourism in San Marino, known also as the Most Serene Republic of San Marino (Italian: Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino) is an integral element of the economy within the microstate. The tourism sector contributes a large part of San Marino's GDP, with approximately 2 million tourists visiting per year.[1][2]

Tourism is among the republic's most important sectors due to its significant contribution to the GDP. The rate of tourists has increased in recent years, as visitors are drawn to the landscape, cuisine and architectural sights of the mountainous microstate. San Marino attracts approximately two million tourists a year,[3] of which 1,822,000 derived from Europe in 2018.[3] In comparison with other European microstates (Andorra, Malta, Monaco and Vatican City), as of 2018 San Marino attracts the fewest tourists.[4]

Fortress of Guaita, located on Monte Titano, San Marino.

Geographically, San Marino is an independent microstate surrounded by the Italian Republic. The enclave state is situated in central Italy on the northeastern edge of the Apennine Mountains, and is completely landlocked. However it is in close proximity to the Adriatic coastline, accessed through the Emilia-Romagna region. In the summer season, many tourists flock to San Marino for its vicinity to the beaches of the Adriatic coastline. Additionally people visit the republic to encounter the culture and cuisine, as well as to visit the many historical monuments, churches, and castles.

Most tourists who visit San Marino are Italian, usually consisting of people who come to spend holidays in the Romagna riviera and decide to spend a half-day or at most a night in the country.[2] Even though there are only a small number of non-Italian foreigners who visit the country, they still are vital to the Sammarinese economy. There are no border formalities with Italy. However, at the tourist office visitors can purchase souvenir stamps which are officially canceled inside their passports.

The City of San Marino itself contains most attractions. The city is perched on a hill with regular parking areas for cars and buses. The City historic centre itself is only a pedestrian zone that has mostly gift shops and food venues on both sides.

  1. ^ "Background Note: San Marino". U.S. State Department. February 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Turismo: San Marino fa i conti con la recessione economica, l'Italia guarda con fiducia al 2010" (in Italian). San Marino RTV. 11 January 2010. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Compendium", San Marino: Country-Specific: Basic Indicators, Madrid, Spain, 2014{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ "Yearbook of Tourism Statistics", International Tourism, Number of Arrivals - Liechtenstein, Malta, Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, Madrid, Spain, 2018{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)