crime
Mafia earns billions from tourism in Italy
One of the classics: vacation in Italy. But in many cases the money from tourists then flows indirectly into the coffers of criminal organizations.
According to a new investigation, the mafia is heavily involved in Italy’s billion-dollar tourism business. According to the Demooskopika research institute, organized crime in the EU country generates around 3.3 billion euros per year. It is assumed that sales of criminal activities will increase again due to the upcoming “Holy Year” of the Catholic Church, for which millions of pilgrims are expected in Rome, and the 2026 Winter Olympics.
According to the study, the criminal organization ‘Ndrangheta, with roots in the southern Italian religion of Calabria, is the best in business with more than 1.6 billion euros. The Camorra, which is mainly active in Naples and the surrounding area, accounts for more than 950 million euros every year. The mafia’s business often works through investments in hotels or restaurants or through extortion of protection money.
dpa
Source: Stern
