Bari's double face conquers the United States and ends up on the cover

Bari's waterfront makes the cover of the New York Times : the Apulian seaside town that is inaugurating an air route connecting New York to the city has made headlines overseas. Bari is changing face, there's no denying it: the historic port city for too long associated with marginality and crime today wears a whole new look, attracting international tourists.

Old Bari enchants tourists from all over the world

TikTok is full of videos that tell of Bari Vecchia , with its characteristic alleys, shops that prepare orecchiette by hand with street sales and bakeries that bake the famous focaccia barese is unrivaled. From via Arco Basso to the cathedral passing through the seafront: the most authentic heart of the city enchants, between street food and architecture. But this tourist boom, although recent, is already generating ambivalent effects.

Bari connects to the United States

But why did Bari end up on the cover of the New York Times ? Starting in June 2025, the airline Neos will offer a weekly connection between New York 's JFK airport and Bari. An intercontinental flight that will no longer land tourists in Rome or Milan but directly in Puglia.

Local administrators are already well aware of what the New York Times highlighted, both on the pros and cons. This is why they are trying to ride the wave of tourism by maintaining a balance between growth and protection of the social fabric. Maria Grazia Cito , professor of tourism economics, emphasizes that the Apulian city must not become a "Disneyland of southern Italy" and that poor public services such as connections with the suburbs must be filled so as to avoid worsening inequalities that alienate the residents themselves.

The Pros of Visiting Bari According to the New York Times

The tourist boom in Puglia and especially in Bari has rediscovered a sense of pride among locals. After decades of marginal roles with attention focused on Lecce and Salento , investments in the new waterfront, cultural offerings and services are bearing fruit. The economy benefits: tourist accommodations are increasing, restaurants are filling up and artisanal activities are once again taking centre stage.

The Cons of Visiting Bari According to the New York Times

But all that glitters is not gold. As has already happened in the past in Florence or Venice , the surge in tourists brings with it both social and urban consequences . Rents in the historic center are rising rapidly, making renting more difficult for students and the elderly. Gentrification is knocking on the door and it is doing so at a speed that perhaps was not expected.

From a work perspective, the tourism industry does not guarantee stable employment. After all, in Puglia tourism is purely seasonal, so many young people find themselves with contracts of a few months and low salaries, fueling a form of precariousness that does not guarantee prospects for the future.

Making the cover of the New York Times and having an air link to the United States should be seen as a starting point for building a tourism model that is both sustainable and inclusive.