Feature: Ecotourism boosts "green economy" in Italy
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E-mail Xinhua, November 1, 2013
Ecotourism in Italy proved itself to be stronger than the crisis and could boost Italy's sluggish economy, fresh data released at a conference held in Palermo on October 30 showed.
Natural reserves and parks have hosted more than 101 million visitors throughout 2012, with a 2-percent increase compared to the previous year, according to the Ecotur Report issued by Aaster Research Institute.
The global revenue of ecotourism rose 3 percent and reached 10.9 billion euros, and it grew twice as much as the tourism sector as a whole, the same report revealed.
"Our natural parks are like a laboratory where Italy could develop a new model of economic and social growth,"Minister for Environment Andrea Orlando said during the conference, stressing the importance of these positive results.
"Ecotourism economic and employment figures are successful and this is essential, considering that the country is gripped by a deep crisis," the Minister added.
According to the Ecotur Report, the most visited reserves were the national parks of Abruzzo, Gran Paradiso and Stelvio, along with the parks of Cinque Terre and Dolomiti Bellunesi. These last two destinations were the most favored by foreign tour operators.
Revenue generated by ecotourism has grown slowly but steadily from 2008 to 2012. The positive trend may suggest that it could have a "flywheel effect" on national economy, the report said.
"It is surely a strong point of Italy, whose range of benefits could be wider than expected," environmental journalist and analyst Marco Gisotti said, "Sustainable tourism gives benefits and protection not only to the environment but to the whole 'chain' of tourism in Italy."
People in search of ecological holidays are a growing reality, the analyst said. Ecotourism tries to attract and satisfy this target audience, offering them new lines of eco-friendly products, the best of Italian natural resources and detailed sustainable tours around the country.
To do this, it mainly relies on local communities both in terms of authorities' initiatives and small- and medium-sized firms' work.
"In this way ecotourism stimulates consumption, it increases business presence in the market and boosts local economies and traditional food and products," Gisotti said.
Companies related to the "green economy" - not just in tourism but in all economic sectors - represent 25 percent of all firms in Italy, according to data released by the Environmental Ministry last year. Almost 40 percent of new jobs at national level are linked to the "green" investments.
"From this point of view Italy ranks among the best in Europe, with countries such as Norway or Sweden" Gisotti said.
Giampiero Sammuri, president of the Federparchi organization, also said "if Italy's spread was based on biodiversity rather than bonds rating, we would be the 'Germany' of Europe."
Federparchi represents the managing authorities of all 871 parks and natural protected areas in Italy.
"In these areas we have more than 57 thousand animal species and 5,600 plants species, of which 600 are endemic to our country: this is not just an environmental heritage but an economic treasure," Sammuri said.
National parks and protected reserves also include 1,700 villages, almost 300 castles, 300 churches and historical sites, and 150 museums.
Yet those resources could be put to much better use. "Despite the good picture, the truth is that Italy is not doing much to take advantage of its own resources. The high number of visitors and growing revenue are the results of good will and inventiveness of some local authorities" Gisotti said.
The country still lacked a national comprehensive policy, Gisotti explained. Some regions and cities, especially in Southern Italy, are not yet able to valorize their natural potential, he added. Endi
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