Collected in a few kilometres, but sustainable and in competition with the big ones. The smaller islands Italians face the tourist season 2021 with the spirit of those who restart after a forced and unexpected stop. The pandemic has undermined a momentum that began years ago in what we once called ecotourism. For years these small realities have been networking with each other. In the list we find Capri, Ischia, Procida, Ventotene, Ponza, Salina, Lampedusa, La Maddalena, Le Tremiti, Elba. When was the PNRR written, Francesco Del Deo, president of the Ancim Association, as well as Mayor of Forio d'Ischia, spoke to half the government to make people understand the importance of these places in the post-Covid recovery. Far from any political exploitation, to understand that the important thing is to be all on one side. In Rome and on the territories.
It needs to be reactivated, in fact, a million dollar business around three points, at least: sea, environment, hospitality. «Yes, I studied the PNRR in depth and spoke with ministers Garavaglia, Gelmini, Carfagna and Cingolani, says Del Deo. «The PNRR is a complex and highly articulated document. In some measures it specifically considers the territories and the inhabitants of the smaller islands. It is an excellent result, achieved thanks to the careful and painstaking work carried out by the ANCIM in recent years».
One can imagine the new season around those funds, but the technical times for disbursement are all yet to come. Moreover, only for 18 of them the optical fiber has been hypothesized.
In fact, in 87 islets there are 35 Municipalities and 240 thousand inhabitants, who want to be heard. They ask to count in national choices and something is moving. They represent an inestimable richness with centers and sites of historical, archaeological, artistic and cultural interest, but also agricultural and fisheries. «They have their own economy which differs from the rest of Italy. A seasonal economy in some ways and traditional in others, made up of periods in which the turnover experiences very high peaks and periods of low seasonality» adds Del Deo.
What turnover are we talking about?
«Recently I proposed to Minister Garavaglia the idea of creating a study center focused on the economic trend in the smaller Italian islands to provide further study tools to those who want to invest and do business in our territories. Do you think that the island of Ischia alone, in the pre-covid19 period, represented 41% of the tourist GDP of the entire Campania Region. A percentage that flows not only to Campania, but to the whole country in terms of tax revenue. It is an idea of the Study Center that we have always put forward and that we hope this time will be able to implement soon ».
At this point comes the comparison with the other small islands of the Mediterranean and beyond…
«Of course, for countries like Greece or Spain, the smaller islands have always been considered cultural, social and economic heritage for their countries. Let's hope this can finally happen, even with this government that has rediscovered the Ministry of Tourism. It is absurd that in a country like Italy, which holds 80% of the world's cultural and artistic heritage, for so many years there has been no establishment of a Ministry of Tourism to promote this sector as well. The smaller islands can, indeed must, represent the starting point of a new era made of development, sustainability and shared innovation».
We come to the levers of success. Surely to the innovative hospitality-ecosystem approach. The white paper "Sole Mare Vento" edited by ANCIM has been around the world as a tourism business model with the enhancement of clean energy sources. The effects of climate change have been assessed and all energy sources considered to identify the most suitable ones for such small geographical realities. The white paper also talks about plastic, mobility, waste, water. But having appreciated it did not produce all the necessary interventions. A lot still needs to be done to interconnect electricity, build new wind or photovoltaic plants, overcome structures powered by non-green fuels.
Yet 5 years ago the smaller islands signed the manifesto of sustainable development. President Del Deo, you have anticipated the times.
«The ANCIM has been a forerunner of the times in this area as well. Talking about sustainable development and the creation of green laboratories on our islands since 2016 means arriving now, in the era of the "green deal", already with a wealth of knowledge of no small importance. The smaller islands represent both for geographical conformation and for the character of the inhabitants, the ideal location for the application of projects aimed at the sustainable development of the territories».
What has been done?
«Some of the points covered in the Manifesto signed in 2016 with the then Minister Franceschini have been implemented. Others have been updated as society and the economy evolve. Many things have changed since 2016. The pandemic has changed all the paradigms known so far, but by working all together I am convinced that all the challenges that life puts before us can be overcome".
The epidemic has left its mark on your economies….
“These islands base their economy almost exclusively on tourism. Certainly they have felt more than any other place the weight of this epochal crisis that crosses all sectors of our daily life. I am convinced that thanks to the community spirit and tenacity that characterizes us residents of the smaller islands, we will be able to move on. Indeed to become the strong and vigorous engine of a national recovery.
Even towards foreign tourists whose presence helps our economy?
«The Italy brand passes above all through the notoriety of Capri, Ischia, Procida, Ponza, Salina, Lampedusa, Le Tremiti, Elba, etc. They have a very strong visual identity. Today it is essential to join forces even more and start promoting this great wealth in a more incisive and unitary way. The smaller islands represent the ideal destination for all types of holidays as the territories offer experiences related to the sea but also to the mountains, thus interweaving stories of land and sea. A unicum much appreciated abroad, but also by national tourism».
