The 'albergo diffuso' and tourism revitalization in Southern Italy

Abstract

'Albergo diffuso', 'paese-albergo': these Italian expressions have been used for some years in reference to new forms of tourist accommodation that aim at recovering and enhancing the cultural heritage of minor centres, marginal if compared to the main tourist flows, without upsetting the territory. This alternative way of managing hospitality can create new tourism development opportunities, and such different forms of tourist accommodation spread throughout the territory can represent a real possibility to recover abandoned houses, limit the depopulation of inner areas, and relaunch the economy of small villages rich in history and culture. This chapter – which forms part of a wider research project focused on human settlements, seismic risk, urban sprawl and socio-economic revitalization of the inner Campania region in Italy – will consider the first experiences of scattered hospitality created in Irpinia, Italy, which is still marginal in terms of tourist attractiveness despite its specific cultural and landscape resources.