Title - Name
Local Action Group (LAG) Gran Sasso Velino
Scope / Sector / Industry
Rural tourist trails
Country / Region
Italy, Abruzzo Region
Why is it good practice?
The work of the Gran Sasso Velino LAG is a good example of sustainable local management of the rural area, as it demonstrates how the use of a European programme, such as the LEADER programme, can bring about positive development outcomes in rural areas through the strategic management of the tourism products and services it has to offer.
How is it applied?
The Gran Sasso Velino LAG is a consortium established as part of the implementation of the LEADER programme and operates in the rural areas of the Abruzzo Region. Its aim is to promote rural development, improve the environment and landscape, boost socio-economic, tourism and cultural development, and invest in the quality of life and well-being of the local community.
The LAG comprises 53 members, 5 of whom are public bodies (the Chamber of L’Aquila, the University of L’Aquila, the Province of L’Aquila, the Municipality of Tagliacozzo and the Management Authority of the Gran Sasso Monti della Laga National Park) and 48 are private partners (representatives from various sectors, e.g. agriculture, trade, etc.). The LAG operates in an area covering a total of 2,500 km², comprising 51 municipalities, 37 of which are in the L’Aquila area, 8 in the Carsolana area and 6 in the Subequana Valley.
The region is characterised by the Gran Sasso and Sirente-Velino mountains and the Aterno and Subequana valleys. It boasts a remarkable diversity, including high mountains, forests, fertile valleys and small villages. Almost the entire area consists of protected areas, special protection zones, etc.
The higher geographical features have a significant influence on the socio-economic structures, opportunities and levels of development in the region, particularly the development of the agricultural sector. The fact that a large part of the territory is protected, combined with the region’s shrinking population, an ageing rural workforce, and a lack of services to support businesses and the local population, are some of the factors that make its development more challenging.
In light of the above weaknesses, the Gran Sasso Velino LAG was established and, in 2023, drew up the “Good Life” Local Development Plan, with the aim of improving the sustainability of the rural area, promoting the environmental heritage, increasing employment, maintaining balance in the labour market, and improving governance processes in order to create a “Good Life” region. Through this strategy, the LAG intends to bring about “prosperity” not only for individuals but also for the community as a whole.
The Local Development Plan comprises three priority areas, one of which concerns the development of sustainable tourism (Priority: Tourism of Good Life). The aim of this priority is to develop non-conventional forms of tourism, specifically nature-based, agricultural and mountain tourism. Given the area’s natural, cultural and artistic heritage, it was deemed important to create integrated experiential tourist routes as a means of managing seasonality and tourist flows, and of encouraging visitors to extend their stay. The “Good Life Tourism” priority is supported by the following six actions:
Action 1: Experiences
Action 1 concerns the planning of integrated tourist trails within the LAG area and the promotion of experiential outdoor activities, with the aim of extending the tourist season and the length of stay. This Action promotes and encourages the ecologically sustainable development of the area through the direct involvement of private organisations and the indirect support of public bodies, which demonstrate a commitment to and sensitivity towards the principles of quality, nature conservation and sustainable tourism.
Action 2: Experiences at high altitude
Action 2 concerns the creation of two high-altitude nature trails. In fact, the aim of the Action is to develop services and activities in the highlands of the massif, offering enjoyment and experiences not only to tourists but also to local communities, who are often unaware of the specific characteristics and potential of the area in which they live.
Action 3: Vertical experiences
Action 3 aims to develop climbing tourism and includes the creation of an indoor climbing facility (climbing gym), suitable for competitive activities, which can host the sector’s major events, such as regional, national and international competitions. The Action involved mapping the rock faces in the Gran Sasso area and creating multi-day guided experiences and packages.
Action 4: Start-up project
Action 4 aims to support the creation of new, innovative start-up businesses in the tourism sector and to guide business groups in their activities.
Action 5: Sustainable Mobility Project
Action 5 envisages the creation of an integrated sustainable mobility system. Its aim is to promote various modes of transport, including cycling and zero-emission electric vehicles, through the use of renewable electricity sources (photovoltaics). In particular, the project involves the creation of a network of shared electric bicycles fitted with photovoltaic panels. The management of the project is expected to be entrusted to a social cooperative, thereby addressing employment needs.
Action 6: Marketing
Action 6 comprises initiatives designed to promote the Abruzzo region. The purpose of this Action is to promote the region’s unique characteristics whilst, at the same time, understanding and strategically utilising the elements of the tourism market. The LAG’s main aim is to understand its tourism market and the behaviour patterns it exhibits.
Where is it applied?
The work of the Gran Sasso Velino LAG directly provides experiences for visitors to the region and indirectly benefits the local community.
When did it apply?
The initiative to develop tourist trails and experiential activities began with the submission of the Local Development Plan in 2023.
Results
This initiative resulted in the creation of a tourism website for the Gran Sasso Velino region, which promotes the hiking trails and outdoor activities, as well as the villages, museums, natural heritage, local produce and cultural events. It also provides recommendations for accommodation, dining and special experiences (e.g. wine tourism).
Other information
LAGs are local partnerships established as part of the implementation of the European LEADER programmes. LEADER is the participatory, bottom-up approach adopted by the European Union to ensure the involvement of local communities in the development of rural, coastal and urban areas. The LAGs are composed of representatives of local public and private socio-economic interests, whose existence, tasks and objectives (promoting the local development of a region) are set out in European standards.
As part of the development of new initiatives, the Gran Sasso Velino LAG took part in the EmbleMatiC cross-border project, the aim of which was to create and test a new tourism offering based on the characteristics of the mountains in the cross-border area and to develop an alternative tourism proposal emphasising the sustainable and responsible management of tourist flows and the greater involvement of local residents and stakeholders.
Official website of the Gran Sasso Velino LAG: https://www.gransassovelino.it/home