Organizacja i funkcjonowanie aparatu kultury fizycznej oraz turystyki w faszystowskich Włoszech

The article is devoted to the organization of key institutions of physical culture and tourism apparatus in Italy of the fascist period. Sport played a very significant role in fascist Italy and was regarded as a means to improve physical condition of the nation, as well as to strengthen nation’s support for the fascist party. This was to be achieved through youth organizations, such as Opera Nazionale Balilla and Gioventù Italiana del Littorio, as well as the institution of Opera Nazionale Dopolavoro. Moreover, the Mussolini’s concept of sport had a propaganda role to play, promoting a positive image of the Italian race (stirpe romana) and a rising power of fascist Italy on the international arena. By decision of duce, Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) from 1926 was organizationally dependent upon the fascist party, becoming de facto a regime’s institution. The fascist regime attached also a lot of importance to the development of the tourism industry, both because of its importance in economic life and for propaganda reasons. The crucial tourism institutions, such as National Tourism Industry Organization, from 1924 a subordinate to General Tourism Directorate, and Italian Tourism Consortium were meant to direct the development of the tourism and hotel industry, as well as to promote Italy abroad.