The “Albergo Diffuso”: A way to develop tourism by mean of innovation and tradition
An Albergo Diffuso —the term can be translated into English with “extended”, “dispersed” or “scattered” hotel— is, essentially, two things:
• an original model of hospitality
• a model of tourism development for the territory.
The term “albergo diffuso” was born in Carnia, in 1982, in the Italian Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region, within a working group that had the aim to revitalise for tourism buildings and villages destroyed by the earthquake that devastated the territory in 1976. The model of hospitality “albergo diffuso” has been developed by Giancarlo Dall’Ara, professor of Tourism Marketing, and sets its roots in the Italian tradition of hospitality. It has been recognised by the Sardinia Region, with its regional tourist law of 1998.
In 2008, the idea of “albergo diffuso” has been awarded a prize in Budapest, during the Meeting “Helping new Talents to Grow”, as the best practice of economic development suitable for developing countries.
It consists of a proposal devised to offer to the guests the experience of living within the historic centre of a town or a village whilst depending on all hotel services such as welcoming, assistance, meals and common spaces and services. These are placed in houses, flats and rooms within no more than 200 metres from the ‘heart’ of the “albergo diffuso”: the premises in which are based the reception, the common spaces and the restaurant.
However, the A.D. is also e model of economic development that doesn’t cause any negative environmental impact on the territory. As a matter of fact, to set up an “albergo diffuso” nothing has to be built because it is necessary only to restore and network what already exists. Furthermore, an AD is a sort of “social stronghold” that vitalises historic centres by fostering various initiatives and involving local producers that are key factors of the tourism supply. As a matter of fact, an A.D., thanks to the legitimate proposal, the vicinity of structures that constitutes it and the existence of a community of residents, is capable of putting forward more a lifestyle rather than a staying as visitors or guests. Just because of this, an A.D. cannot come up in any deserted settlement.
Since the supply of lifestyle doesn’t necessarily depend on climate, the A.D. is de-seasonilised. It can also originate ancillary economic development and help avoiding the depopulation of villages.
N.B. This paper is based almost exclusively on a report presented to IDEASS - Innovation by Development and South-South Cooperation by GIORDANO DICHTER and GIANCARLO DALL'ARA. They kindly allowed the use of their report, for which the editor thanks them wholeheartedly.