An inaugural day during which through the panel organized in the space dedicated to Calabria, the tourist future of the region was discussed, of what it was, of what it will be.
Inside the Calabrian pavilion, President Roberto Occhiuto, together with the Commissioner of the Single Zes, Giosy Romano, and the president of Unindustria Calabria, Aldo Ferrara, confronted tourism development, investments in infrastructure and economic growth of the Calabrian territory.
At the meeting, moderated by the Corriere della Sera Journalist, Francesco Verdarami, President Occhiuto, underlined how 2024 was an extraordinary year for Calabrian tourism, with a territory that becomes more and more attractive.
“More modern structures and services at the height of the needs of travelers are needed. I want tourists, after discovering our sea, remain amazed by the beauty of our mountains. We are investing a lot on walking, trekking and naturalistic parks “.
Ferrara highlighted how for Unindustria it was essential to support the sector through the Kaire call: regional initiative intended for the formation of tourism staff, who invests in human capital. “With the new call for hospitality, we want to raise the quality of tourist welcome. Our region is naturally suited to tourism, but it is necessary to focus on quality rather than on quantity “.
Everyone agrees on the need to focus on structural investments in the tourism sector and, as underlined by the Roman commissioner, also simplify the bureaucracy to make Calabria more attractive to investments. “Thanks to the Zes we got 600 million euros of investments. We want to implement them and to do this it is important to change the perception of Calabria, a different story and far from the stereotypes of the past “.
With the panel entitled: ‘Discover Calabria: a region within reach of young people, the strategies to make beauty and attractive excellence for all generations’, the Railways Association in Calabria had the opportunity to present the’ Railtour, Travel by train and discover Calabria ‘.
At the meeting, Giovanni Calabrese and Maria Stefania Caracciolo, Councilor for Tourism and Councilor for Public Education of the Calabria Region, Marina Chiarelli, Councilor for Tourism of the Piedmont Region, Roberto Galati and Vincenzo Calabrò, of the Association of the Ferrovie in Calabria, Andrea Cerrato, respectively respectively Co-Founder of the Via (e) to travel and Daniele Donnici, destination Sila-partner via (e) for Calabria.
The Railtour project aims at the decreased, the incoming of a regional and extractive tourism, attentive to sustainable mobility and the enhancement of the historical, cultural, environmental and food and wine aspects of Calabria. A project that provides for the use of both historical trains, from the train of the Sila of Ferrovie della Calabria to the train of the gods organized in collaboration with the FS Italian Foundation, FS Italian tourist trains and the Calabria Region, passing through the itineraries that provide for the Use of the Trenitalia regional trains, such as the Magna Graecia train, the train of the lace truffle, the IGP nougat of Bagnara, the sea train. Tours also proposed to school groups through the ‘School – railway, for railway and experiential tourism’ project aimed at echo sustainability.
On the theme ‘tourism of the roots’, the Calabrian councilor dialogue with Marcela Aberhard, councilor for tourism of Santa Fe (Argentina), Alejandra Mattheus, councilor for tourism Città di Rosario (Argentina), Armando Bossio, mayor of Cleto – Pres. Aicular. The “Cleto model” and the Italy project in the world, Giuseppe Varacalli, president of the Council Aricotur and Serena Franco, manager of Italea Calabria. The Calabria Region has confirmed its commitment to the development of the tourism of the roots, to enhance the link between the Italian communities abroad and their homeland. The discussion focused on relations with Argentina, a country that has always housed one of Calabrian’s most nourished communities.
“The jubilee year – said the Calabrian councilor – will be a key moment to welcome millions of visitors and pilgrims from all over the world, many of whom will be descendants of Calabrian emigrants. We have a duty to create a structured tourist offer, which unites faith and rediscovery of its origins. The Jubilee will be an extraordinary opportunity to bring those who still feel strong with our land in Calabria “.
The bit will continue today with other meetings. We will focus on ‘digital tourism and territorial marketing: villages and places of Calabria in the images’. A panel on ‘eco -sustainable tourism – biodiversity and landscapes in Calabria of the hinterland’. It will continue with ‘barriers without barriers – the importance of the language of signs for accessible and inclusive tourism’. It will end with a comparison on ‘tourism for the enhancement of the territory, between nature and villages, mountains, sea and new destinations’.