Title – Name
Local Action Group (LAG) Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara
Scope / Sector / Industry
Rural tourism
Country / Region
Italy, Etna in Sicily
Why is it good practice?
The action of the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara LAG is a good example of local sustainable rural management, as it demonstrates how the use of a European programme, such as the LEADER programme, can bring positive development results to rural areas through the strategic management of tourism products and services that it can offer.
How is it applied?
The Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara Local Action Group (LAG) is a consortium created in the framework of the LEADER+ programme in the regions of Etna and Alcantara in Sicily. It is represented by the municipalities belonging to the Etna and Alcantara Valley area, the two natural park management bodies located in the area (Etna Park and Alcantara River Park) and the two universities also located in the same area. The LAG is made up of private partners, research bodies and institutes, conservation bodies, regions and associations promoting local products, numerous cultural, environmental and other associations. In total the partnership consists of 104 partners, of which 28 are public and 76 private.
The Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara LAG partnership operates in an area made up of 26 municipalities in the province of Catania and includes 7 protected areas (parks and natural reserves). The area is characterised by the presence of an important agricultural landscape, with plantations cultivated in the traditional way, such as vineyards growing on terraces on lava soils, apple orchards reaching the highest altitudes of Mount Etna, terraced citrus groves in the Sicilian Ionian Riviera area and the presence of buildings of particular architectural heritage.
In the framework of the implementation of the Leader+ programme, the LAG has sought to support local actors and administrations to reflect on the potential for the development of the region in a long-term perspective, through the promotion and implementation of integrated sustainable development strategies that exploit the natural and cultural heritage, strengthen the local economy in order to create employment and improve the organisational capacity of local communities.
The main objective of the Leader+ programme was to exploit local environmental (parks and natural reserves) and cultural resources to create tourist trails through their sustainable management. The planned investment was worth more than EUR 13 million and financed the renovation of facades and refurbishment of properties of historical, cultural and rural value. Other key activities of the programme were:
- the creation of natural, cultural, gastronomic and traditional tourist routes
- the implementation of marketing policies to promote the area
- promotion of local products and services
- vocational training in the above areas
- transnational and local cooperation with other LAGs in the field of sustainable tourism
One of the main objectives of the LAG was to increase the economic return generated by tourism flows, focusing on increasing the per capita expenditure of tourists/visitors (and therefore the overall economic return), while avoiding overcrowding and maintaining the carrying capacity of the area. In this context, it was important to increase the attractiveness of the region by focusing on promoting the quality and uniqueness of the resources present in the region.
As regards the tourist offer, nature trails (of varying degrees of difficulty) were created, with routes leading to small traditional villages. To date, a total of 21 trails are offered in the natural parks of Etna and the Alcantara Valley. In the park of Etna, 13 walking trails have been created, one of which is proposed for cycling, and one trail has been designed to be accessible to all. In the Alcantara Valley Park, 8 nature and heritage trails have been created, two of which are accessible to people with disabilities.
For these trails, relevant information is provided, such as the level of difficulty, distance and travel time, points of interest (historical, archaeological, natural, etc.), info points, route description, photos and maps. Where the routes are accessible to people with disabilities, information is provided. Suggestions for accommodation, catering, local products and events are also given.
It is worth noting that the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara Local Development Plan has been drawn up as part of the operation of the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara PPA in order to define the future development objectives and actions for the area. The plan aimed to
- the protection of the rural heritage,
- the creation and development of small businesses,
- strengthening the territory and local products,
- improving rural and commercial services,
- encouraging tourism activities and protecting the artistic and cultural heritage.
Where is it applied?
The sustainable management of the Etna area by the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara LAG is aimed at improving the economic well-being of the rural areas and the inhabitants of the area, while visitors to the area also benefit directly from the improved products and services provided through its strategic management.
When did it applied?
The Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara LAG was established in 2004.
Results
As a result of the actions of the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara PTA, an integrated tourism product has been created in the area (nature trails), which is promoted and known, brings economic benefits to the local community and to the development of the area and enables nature lovers to experience a unique natural landscape.
Other Information
The LAGs are local partnerships created in the framework of the implementation of the European LEADER programmes. LEADER is the participatory and bottom-up approach used by the European Union to ensure the involvement of local communities in the development processes of rural, coastal and urban areas. The LAGs are made up of representatives of public and private local socio-economic interests, whose existence, tasks and objectives (promoting local development of a region) are laid down in European standards.
In the context of developing new actions, the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara LAG participated in the EmbleMatiC cross-border project, the aim of which was to create and test a new tourism offer based on the characteristics of the mountains of the cross-border area and to create an alternative tourism proposal emphasising sustainable and responsible management of tourism flows and greater involvement of local residents and stakeholders.
Official website of the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara LAG: https://galetnaalcantara.com/home/
