Another draft for the strategic tourism plan (edited by the department and Puglia Promozione). Or rather for the 2023-2030 update which has yet to be presented in the final version even though the legislature will expire in a year. Given the periods of political-judicial turbulence, the risks of not completing the work are present. After listening to the operators (with various local meetings) the document, of almost 120 pages to be integrated, it is a list of analyzes that are largely already known and which are cyclically replicated. Regarding the tourist organisation, the starting point is to refer “to the vocation of each area, hypothetically 15-20 territorial tourist areas, evaluating already existing models such as Gal, landscape areas, social areas, delegations”. We therefore go from Gargano, Tavoliere and Monti Dauni to Grecia Salentina, Messapia, Finibus Terrae. To pass through Ofanto, Central Puglia, Alta Murgia, Arco Ionico Tarantino.
Regarding environmental protection, however, “paths and cycle tourism must be strengthened” together with the «new memorandums of understanding with national and regional parks in order to develop outdoor tourism and optimize resources for mapping and infrastructure of routes». It’s a shame that the peripheral areas of Puglia are characterized by the dramatic and widespread phenomenon of rubbish dumping. And the operators ask “to launch new regional strategies, in collaboration with Anci, against waste abandonment”.
For transport, we recommend the Infomobility App, the georeferencing of rental cars or other means available «from mobile phones, also with the aim of improving travel conditions and the liveability of the area in particular periods with a high concentration of road traffic, proposing alternative routes or means».
Long-haul air links are also in the spotlight. The objective is «develop and activate the direct Bari-New York air connection» as well as the fast railway line «between Bari and Naples». There is a need to improve the “last mile” connections in favor of tourist accommodation for all municipalities”. For boating, however, there is a request to “support the creation and qualification of itineraries and experiential activities focused on the sea/land relationship (ports as places of access to the hinterland)”.
Sport also has its part and proposes «the arrangement and governance of the bike product, with the definition of regional guidelines for structures that define themselves as bike hotels” as well as new “investments in signage and route maintenance”. Finally, there is the aspect of spirituality and tradition. It is therefore necessary to “claim the patron saint’s festivals not only from a religious point of view, but also as an economic incentive with the need for support (illuminations, bands and fireworks) also in order to distribute the offering throughout the year”. For museums and events it will be necessary to “organise the ticket offices (which should sell everyone’s events)”.
