I appreciate very much your words about enhancing the local culture especially for those little villages and cities that are off the beaten roads.

I’m totally with you and your friends Giulia, Letizia, Diana, Megan, when you say you’re working to “offer your guests the very same experience when we are the hosts rather than traveller…in allowing people to see Italy and our life as it is really by helping them to take advantage of what the area in which we are located has to offer”

I leave in a small village between Pisa and Lucca and managing since short time a small B&B in my family property, I’m trying to involve very local “suppliers” to give travellers the chance to enjoy smaller and local events: nature excursions, cooking lessons or smaller festival, in addition to well known art cities.

On the other hand I’m currently investigating on my property history tracking what our predecessors did hundred of years ago; it’s amazing how many documents are still recorded in the public archives describing life facts to be shared with guests just to involve them and really let them know about the place the are temporary living.

It’s nice to see that you and other people are working to “help my area speak for itself and help people to listen to it”

I’d like to share experiences, please get in touch with me whenever you may think it would be helpful.

have a nice day
Marco

Thank you so much for sharing our blog and contest with people here. It’s much appreciated.

Don’t you feel like there is a real backlash against mass tourism and a real move towards ‘going local’ and more sustainable travel? Love it!

x

They have just started a monthly travel blogging competition. This is from the competition announcement:

“We’re inviting you to create an inspiring blog post, consisting of a 500-word piece of evocative travel writing and one compelling photograph that motivates people to:

– explore more authentic and enriching ways to travel
– get beneath sthe skin of a place when they travel
– learn to live like locals
– travel more slowly and more sustainably, and/or
– give something back to the places they visit.”

Here is the link to the Gran Tourismo blog.

“The audio begins about 30 seconds into the video, and although the host’s voice (Sally Broom, Your Safe Planet) is unfortunately out of sync with presenters in this recording it should be possible to hear most of what was discussed.” A full summary of what was said is also available on the site.

On the whl.travel blog, you can find comments on the Global Leaders of Responsible Tourism Webinar.