Italy – Página 4 – fuTOURiSME

GEOfood

Escrito por Marianna Gallina en julio 31, 2024.

It is critical to provide SMEs in the tourism sector with capacity building programs, technical and financial assistance to encourage them to engage in eco-friendly practices and schemes. These programs can include training on environmental best practices, technical advice on implementing sustainable solutions, and access to subsidized financing for investments in eco-innovative technologies. Lessons learned show that direct support to SMEs can foster the adoption of sustainable practices by overcoming financial and technological barriers that might otherwise limit their environmental engagement.

GEOfood is an international initiative run by UNESCO Global Geoparks which engages local communities to build up local narratives focused on the connection between geology and food.

GEOfood brand defines the “quality” based on local traditions and ancient knowledge, connected with geological heritage which is characterizing each territory.

The five main objectives are:

Improving efficiency in the use of resources.
Direct action to ensure, protect natural resources.
Agriculture must improve rural livelihood, equity and social well-being
Enhance resilience of people, community and ecosystem.
Responsible and effective governance mechanisms are required.

All the Global Geoparks taking part in the project establish agreements with local food producers and restaurants enterprises in the frame of GEOfood criteria, giving them the opportunity to use the brand within their business.

Escrito por Marianna Gallina en julio 31, 2024.

SMEs in the tourism sector can learn that adopting locally sourced ingredients with a low environmental footprint not only reduces the environmental impact of food services, but can also lead to better product quality and a more authentic experience for visitors. This practice promotes economic and environmental sustainability by supporting local production and reducing emissions associated with transportation of goods.

SMEs in the hospitality sector can learn that reducing food waste not only reduces operational costs but also the overall environmental impact. Implementing practices such as recycling leftovers and donating uneaten food can help reduce waste and promote more efficient management of food resources.

Implementing waste reduction and separation programs in tourism services can contribute significantly to the circularity of the economy. SMEs can adopt practices such as composting organic waste, recycling recyclables, and reducing the use of single-use materials to reduce the overall environmental impact and promote more sustainable waste management.

Finally, SMEs in the tourism sector can learn that increasing water efficiency and improving sanitation not only reduces water stress and pollution, but also improves the overall visitor experience. Adoption of water-efficient technologies, regular maintenance of water infrastructure, and responsible water use can help conserve water resources and ensure high-quality sanitation services.

Two European projects, inherent to the relevant topic, have been identified:

SAVING – a project under the Erasmus+ program focused on raising young people’s awareness of environmental challenges and climate change, the objective of which is to promote sustainable lifestyle choices, safe food consumption and reduction of food waste. Through this project and following a non-formal learning logic, an online platform with Open Educational Resources (OER) on sustainability, food security and zero waste developed in 5 learning modules was created.
ESPAS – a project under the Italy-Tunisia program on the enhancement of native Sicilian and Tunisian plant species of nutritional and health interest. In particular, studies and in-depth studies were carried out on 4 native species: oregano, wild asparagus, caper and wild rose. The goal of the project is to promote scientific protocols and research activities on the studied species.

Kore Siciliae

Escrito por Marianna Gallina en julio 31, 2024.

Lessons learned relevant to the twin transitions focused on developing or updating tourism strategies include:

Integrated approach to sustainability: Tourism strategies should take an integrated approach that considers economic, environmental and social sustainability. This means considering the economic impacts of tourism activities, the preservation of the natural and cultural environment, and the well-being of local communities.
Stakeholder Involvement: It is essential to actively involve stakeholders, including government representatives, tourism operators, local communities, nongovernmental organizations, and other key players, in the design and implementation of tourism strategies. Stakeholder involvement helps to ensure that strategies are based on broad consensus and address the needs and concerns of all stakeholders.
Awareness raising and training: It is important to raise awareness and train various tourism stakeholders on sustainability and best practices. Education and training can raise awareness about the impacts of tourism and provide skills and tools to adopt more sustainable approaches.

The project ‘Kore Siciliae’ aims to enhance the peculiarities of the ‘Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark’ and to encourage geotourism as a form of tourism that binds together the geological formation of the area, its natural and cultural heritage, and the wellbeing of its communities.

Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark also worked for the strengthening of Community NETWORKS through cooperation between small operators to organize joint working processes and share facilities and resources, for the development and marketing of tourism and tourist services under the ‘Kore Siciliae‘ single brand.

Kore Siciliae intends to offer an authentic and transforming experience that starts from the land that hosted the Myth of Persephone (Kore) and continues every day in the storytelling of the guides, in the hands of the artisans, in the harvest of the earth.

Bianko ecochic – ospitalità siciliana

Escrito por Marianna Gallina en julio 30, 2024.

A green structure was created from a restored 1800s building. This includes restoration of the original furniture and recovery of the cement tiles, integrated with the use of green building mortars.

20kw of solar panels and water collection tanks (about 6000l) were installed.

The fixtures used are wooden and maintain the original design and colors but are all thermal break for energy efficiency.

The project was born in 2019 carried on since then at its own expense.

It has received some external aid over time, including the 110 superbonus and the earthquakebonus.

Officina Agroculturale Cafeci – Outdoor experience

Escrito por Marianna Gallina en julio 30, 2024.

The company’s best practice is to offer unique and sustainable travel experiences in Sicily, promoting a more environmentally friendly lifestyle and bringing people closer to nature in an authentic and meaningful way. They organize guided hikes and e-bike tours, allowing participants to explore the natural beauty of the island in an eco-sustainable way.

They also offer outdoor workshop activities that allow participants to immerse themselves in local culture and traditions, encouraging a more conscious approach to outdoor living and responsible consumption. They actively promote cyclotourism and beekeeping, encouraging travelers to discover Sicily in innovative and environmentally friendly ways.

A distinctive aspect of their practice is the involvement of the younger generation. They offer educational programs dedicated to children, designed to teach them the importance of environmental conservation and the beauty of nature. They want them to grow up loving and respecting the natural environment, conveying to them a deep connection with the earth and encouraging them to become active keepers of our planet.

Spaccio BIO – Bottega con Cucina

Escrito por Marianna Gallina en julio 30, 2024.

The mission is to promote healthy food by selecting wholesome products and supporting workers and the land, demonstrating a genuine commitment to an ethical economy. This holistic approach not only provides quality goods, but also inspires cultural change toward sustainable and inclusive economic models, demonstrating that it is possible to do business responsibly and in a way that respects the environment and people. Also organizing several workshops and activities for children, parallel activities that aim to educate awareness because only if you know you can choose conscientiously thus increasing consumer awareness.

Mercurio Festival

Escrito por Marianna Gallina en julio 30, 2024.

The Mercurio Festival positions itself as a cultural tourism attractor without limiting itself to the creation of cultural events in places of artistic heritage, a proposal already outdated by the most innovative cultural tourism operators, but setting its sights on a conscious tourism that moves its flows functionally to the artistic proposal of level regardless of the places that host it, where the experiences of recent years lead us to consider it increasingly mortifying for the artist and his paths to have to express themselves in function of the enhancement of a place.

The conscious cultural tourism they focus on involves organizing public meetings, seminars, and workshops so that they can engage with the themes of the work, creation, and inspiration of the work we have just seen. They create meeting places where tourists know they can engage with artists and be able to freely dialogue with them. They also create itineraries, co-organized with the entities that operate within the Cantieri Culturali, in which tourists can visit the entire area, watch a show/concert at the Cantieri and entertain themselves there, expanding our itinerary to the Zisa Castle, adjacent to our target area.

Kore Siciliae

Escrito por Marianna Gallina en julio 30, 2024.

The main project of the Consorzio Together is Kore Siciliae, an example of how different businesses can come together to promote the area and propose a mode of conscious tourism. The project aims to enhance the origins, the Sicily of wheat, sulfur, salt, and chalk, which fully testifies to the multifaceted Mediterranean identity, its countless nuances and the skillful balance between man and nature. In fact, UNESCO Global Geopark sites are geographical areas of special geological value. In this evocative territory rich in history is set the myth of Kore, hence the name of the project: Kore Siciliae. This stems from the desire to make people experience a different journey from the usual mass tourism, to get to know Sicily in its most intimate and authentic part, through what is called experiential tourism. A journey under the banner of the most vivid experience of the territory through the words and gestures of master craftsmen, farmers and breeders, and guides who lead the traveler to discover the origins of myth.

Byzantine Village

Escrito por Marianna Gallina en julio 30, 2024.

Hisn al-Giran has been managing the Byzantine Village area owned by the Regional Department of Rural and Territorial Development since June 2012.

The goal of the association is, from the beginning, to expand its reach throughout the entire territory of Calascibetta, enhancing it through cultural events aimed at community involvement and beyond.

Their Association is involved on a voluntary basis in the maintenance and cleaning of trails, fire roads, rest areas, points of interest, parking area and toilets.

In September 2012, they also carried out initial work on the entire archaeological area, equipping it with educational panels and signage in order to facilitate its use.

They take care of visitor reception at our Info Point and organize for them excursions archaeo-naturalistic day trips to discover an extraordinary archaeological and naturalistic heritage.

Excursions can be conducted in Italian, English and French, and by reservation also in German and Russian, with the support of native speakers; active also the guide options in LIS, thanks to the support of a communication assistant.

TRANSHUMANCE

Escrito por Marianna Gallina en julio 30, 2024.

It is from the earliest times that our ancestors have gone on TRANSHUMANCE, an ancient agricultural tradition that has marked the history of our people over the millennia. To ensure forage for their livestock, according to the changing seasons, shepherds and herds would reach distant pastures by traveling along the ‘trazzere’, ancient connecting roads. They crossed valleys and streams and here found makeshift shelters, often caves, as a night shelter, the so-called ‘jazzu’.

From the summer pastures in the highlands they would return, in autumn, to the lower and therefore more welcoming hills to defend themselves from the rigors of winter.

Started 11 years ago and since then, twice a year, in spring and summer, it takes tourists to retrace an ancient path of 45 km for three days from Calascibetta to Gangi, or vice versa, at donkey pace, to rediscover the ancient traditions and the surrounding nature, in close contact with the times and needs of donkeys, to rediscover a precious heritage to be safeguarded and handed down to new generations.

Stefania is generally aided and assisted by another AIGAE guide, Gianluca, who accompanies her throughout the entire journey.

Country: Italy