Cultural tourism and inland areas, municipalities in the field together with historical residences
Initiatives are planned to promote the seasonal adjustment of flows, the creation of dedicated itineraries and the promotion of joint events
Enhancing the value of historical residences as an engine for sustainable territorial development, strengthening cultural tourism and supporting small municipalities and inland areas. These are the objectives of the memorandum of understanding signed in Rome between Anci and the Association of Italian Historic Dwellings (Adsi) signed by the president of Anci and mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, and the national president of Adsi, Maria Pace Odescalchi. The agreement aims to recognise historical residences as an integral part of Italy's cultural identity and as a strategic lever for the economic, social and tourist growth of territories, particularly in villages and municipalities in inland areas.
Slow tourism
The protocol envisages joint initiatives to foster sustainable tourism and the deseasonalisation of tourist flows, through the integration of historical dwellings into local cultural and tourist plans, the creation of dedicated itineraries, the promotion of shared cultural events, and the implementation of projects with schools and universities, cultural volunteer programmes, and initiatives to open up to the public. According to Manfredi, the agreement between Anci and Adsi aims to transform historical residences into a strategic lever for the sustainable development of territories. With a twofold objective: on the one hand, to promote slow and quality tourism to counter the depopulation of villages and inland areas; on the other, to make municipalities aware of the need to adopt, where possible, policies of simplification and tax relief for those who look after this heritage. "We want historical palaces, villas and gardens to be increasingly integrated into the life of communities, becoming essential stops on cultural itineraries that enhance the entire territorial supply chain, from civic museums to artisan excellence. Protecting these realities and historical memory means investing in the economic and social future of our territories'.
Land development
The collaboration with Anci 'came about naturally', according to Maria Pace Odescalchi. In fact, data from the Observatory on Private Cultural Heritage show that 30 per cent of historical residences are located in municipalities with less than 5,000 inhabitants. In these contexts, they play a fundamental role not only in the protection of cultural heritage, but also in the economic and social vitality of local communities. "The signing of this protocol represents a significant step towards enhancing the value of historical residences as cultural presidia and engines of territorial development, with the aim of systematising, supporting and integrating them into local development and tourism strategies, to the benefit of the entire country".
