>>509412620You have it wrong, heavy tourism is a recent phenomenon.
Italy's increase in wealth started after the unification in the 1860's when the first railways and industries were being built. Fo the next decades it slowly developed until Mussolini slowed growth with retarded projects and crippling debt.
After the war, when it became a republic, it experienced an economic boom, in part thanks to US aid. By the 1980's it was one of the richest countries on Earth and greatest exporters.
Tourism is nice and good, especially for smaller centers, but it is creating problems for larger cities.
In Florence for example, regular shops and artisanal workshops have been squeezed out and replaced with restaurants catering to tourists. AirBnBs are also a massive problem for local housing.
Italy's problem, which is a problem pretty much every developed nation is experiencing, is that due to globalization, decreased political participation and the general increase of the economic elite's power over the rest of the population the working class is being impoverished and eaten alive.