The Balagne evolves around two centres of attraction, Calvi and L’Ile Rousse, the first affirming its vocation of economic and tourist pole (a port and an airport), the second being directed more towards the administrative field (trade and magistrates' courts, Social security, ANPE, ASSEDIC...) in spite of the presence of the sub-prefecture at Calvi.

The tourist development privileged the expansion of the coastal towns and the adjoining interior. The fact that they no longer develop their pastoral, agricultural activity and are not making a profit out of the tourist development, the Piedmont districts have become progressively depopulated, which is to the advantage of Calvi and L’Ile Rousse as centres of employment. The Balagne offers 6000 jobs.

Driving force of local economy, the tertiary activity predominates: it provides three out of four jobs. It is more precisely the commercial tertiary sector which is the most established for it applies to more than half of the employment. The number of people working in this sector leapt to +65% between 1982 and 1990, whereas the progression was +22% in Corsica. Over this period, the commercial tertiary sector was, moreover, the only creator of employment in the Balagne,

While the island’s, industry and non-commercial services progressed too. As for the building sector, it does not deviate from the insular tendency, since the loss of employment noted between 1982 and 1990 was confirmed then worsened, until the most recent difficulties.

The dynamism of the commercial tertiary sector also results in an increase in the number

of establishments installed in the area since the beginning of 1990: +26% in five years. At January first, 1995, the Balagne counts more than 1800 concerning this sector. They account for 85% of the total of the establishments of the region (except agriculture and non-commercial services) and are divided into 400 shops, almost as many hotels, cafés or restaurants and about a thousand other services.

They are primarily small units: seven out of ten do not have an employee, and only one out of ten employs more than five. The majority of these establishments are directly related to the tourist activity, key sector of the Balagne today.

From the Thirties, tourism expanded rapidly in the Balagne with the construction of luxurious establishments and the arrival of wealthy customers. Today, numerous cultural and sporting events have for a long time, accentuated the attraction of this region. In this way, the famous jazz and wind festivals, which take place respectively in June and October, contribute to the expansion of the tourist season.

Each year, the region welcomes many tourists: it is estimated that their total number represents from four to five times the amount of the permanent population. For towns such as Lumio, Algajola or Palasca, this estimation can exceed ten.

Owing to this tourist vocation there is a large amount of tourist accommodation, Not only concerning second homes but also professional tourist lodgings. The region has 22% of the island’s hotel accommodation and 20% of holiday village rooms. One lodging out of two is a second home.. In addition, many of the dwellings are recent: 23% of the residences were built after 1982 (19% in Corsica).

The presence of an airport and two ports is, for the tourist industry, a considerable asset. From May to September, 14% of air transport passengers, flying to or from Corsica, go through Calvi airport. As for the L’Ile Rousse port,it is the third of the region after those of Bastia and Ajaccio.

Agriculture is a sector which is going down hill because of the continual disappearance of farms and the use of more extensive ways of production. The positioning around mediterrannean agricultural productions places the Balagne in a commercial strategy with a tourist vocation (corsican ham, cheeses, wines...)

The craft industry is dominated by the public buildings and works sector and companies of less than 10 paid employees. However, the craft industry production represents about a hundred companies (manufacture, art, farm produce), but the outlets remain local and centred on summer tourist consumption.

The commercial activity is concentrated in the cities and in the tourist zones. This activity is directly related to the development of tourism.

The distribution of the companies of the area reveals a prevalence of the activities related to tourism (hotels, restaurants, tourist holiday villages, furnished accommodation...) with more

than 400 companies representing a tourist capacity of approximately 50000. This sector occupies more than 500 employees.

Source: Economie Corse Number 75.