“Today, the goal of tourism must be diversification, and this is already being done, for example by promoting new formulas such as cycle tourism and active holidays, such as trekking, climbing, etc. In addition, companies in the sector must pay increasing attention to customers, especially foreign tourists – comments Ugo Frascherelli, Mayor of Finale Ligure. – Italy is the leading country in Europe in terms of tourism numbers, and remains so even after the crisis caused by Covid, which has obviously had a very strong impact on this sector. Tourism accounts for 13% of Italy’s GDP, so it is essential to protect it, and every municipality that has the privilege of being a major tourist attraction must do its part with courage and foresight. ”.

“If tourism and travel are diverse and complex activities, and not just millions of people carrying cameras everywhere, we are right to have a positive view of them. The activities in question are constantly being invented, constructed and developed – adds Claudio Casanova, Councillor for Tourism, Sport and Culture for the Municipality of Finale Ligure. – There is no fixed number of “tourist attractions” in the world that are about to be buried by an avalanche of new visitors; there is no fixed or given limit to what people might find interesting; value is continuously created and recreated, and it is the territory that does this together with the resident communities. The existence of tourism and travel is linked to that of other forms of economic and cultural life, and tourism must integrate with these activities. Its development can bring sustenance and well-being to many areas, such as inland areas, which would otherwise be devoid of activity. We are experiencing this today. It is a value that we must learn to recognise and preserve so that it can generate economic and social wealth.

‘Planning common objectives is the way forward,’ says Gianni Berrino, Councillor for Tourism for the Liguria Region. to transform resources into services and initiatives capable of meeting the needs of Italian and international tourists. The creation of a strategic tourism development plan for Finale Ligure is a step in the right direction to enhance its reputation as an outstanding outdoor and cycling destination and to increase, in a targeted manner and according to sustainability criteria, the various facets of the local tourism offering, which ranges from villages to the sea to food and wine. I will therefore follow the development of the DE.DE business network project presented today very closely and, as a Region, – he concludes – we are ready to collaborate to ensure the complete success of the initiative.”

__________________________

Paola Iacona – Phone 349 5345983 – press@visitfinaleligure.it

Communications Department DE.DE press@destinationdesign.it Tel. 019 2054914

Tourist Office – Town of Finale Ligure – www.comunefinaleligure.it Tel. 019-6890282

Photos of the event