Rural Tourism and Territorial Governance in Calabria

The paper analyses some experiences of rural tourism in Calabria and territorial governance issues related to the tourism. To speak of tourism today means more and more often to speak of territorial governance strategies and sustainability of development models. Tourists nowadays are in search of continually new emotions, of experiences that are physically and emotionally involving. Therefore, tourism, in a wider interpretation, takes on an increasing meaning of authentic experience and rediscovery of values and local traditions. The promotion of an area and the development of its resources become important factors in the actions and strategies employed by authorities. From this point of view, rural tourism – which must establish criteria for the conservation of natural and cultural resources – can play a role in driving sustainable economic development of rural areas, promoting agricultural production and traditional local crafts and performing, more generally, a function of territorial marketing.