Localiti: Local Itineraries for a sustainable, regional tourism
The goal of the project is to promote and create itineraries that highlight local
heritage, geography, and knowledge by means of an independent, web-based
interactive map for visitors. It enhances support for local traditions and products
by showcasing traditional processes, and guides travellers to overlooked sites
such as the historic dry stone ruins in Ticino valleys. The project offers a regional
alternative to Google Maps, emphasising local knowledge over algorithms.
What issue does your project address, and why do you want to tackle it?
While developing new solutions with rural municipalities to manage tourism flow,
we found that curated itineraries sustainably reconnect visitors with their
destinations. They divert tourists from over-visited areas to lesser-known
highlights, redirect resources to meet local needs, and raise awareness about the
place.The goal is to help municipalities that rely heavily on tourism, like alpine
communities, to control the narrative of their place by allowing information to come
from locals.
What is your project about and how does it make tourism in the Alps future-proof?
Itineraries link spatially specific information on a map with stories of people,
heritage and history allowing to put value in local goods, propose low-carbon
activities, and redirect tourism flows. The project promotes all-year-round activities
rather than focusing on peak season offers, building on local knowledge and
culture. Additionally, by encouraging visits to pastures and advocating for the
rehabilitation of buildings, our initiative strives to preserve cultural heritage.
How do you measure your project's success?
The success can easily be quantified by measuring the number of clicks, the use
of the platform by regional and local tourism organisations, and the direct
implication of local stakeholders. Regular contact with tourism actors will enable
us to adapt the platform's content based on the requirements and feedback from
local actors and tourism stakeholders in the three case study regions.
Who are the people behind the project and what is your secret to a great collaboration?
Clara's focus on regional development and territorial analysis, paired with
Romano's expertise in tourism and geographic evaluation, equips them to develop
a platform that meets local needs and promotes sustainable tourism. They
collaborate on various projects across different regions of Switzerland,
complementing each other to establish a network encompassing French, German,
and Italian-speaking parts of the country.
