Rural tourism and Albergo Diffuso: A case study for sustainable land-use planning

Abstract

International organisations are increasingly aware of the sustainable development, and this has also affected the tourism industry. Albergo Diffuso (known in the international literature as a “scattered or dispersed hotel”) represents an interesting interpretation of sustainable “Made in Italy” tourism. This paper investigates the Albergo Diffuso as an example of sustainable community-based entrepreneurial land use. Although Albergo Diffuso springs out of an entrepreneur’s business idea, this model cannot survive without a strong identification with the territory. Albergo Diffuso thus represents a noteworthy model of sustainable tourism and shows how reciprocity of entrepreneurship and the territory creates value for all stakeholders both through enhancement of the landscape and attractive development of tourist destinations. The Le Grotte della Civita case study of Matera (Italy) is guided by a descriptive model that provides a heuristic tool for conceptualising changes in sustainable tourism.