In this work, we will look at the perception of what is known as “root tourism” by local communities specifically referring to the Italian case. The topic is not only relevant to scientific interest, but of clear national relevance as well. In fact, a specific measure was devoted to this form of tourism in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), a document that has been drawn up by the Italian government in 2020 to find a way out of the global coronavirus pandemic’s economic crisis, using the funds allocated to Italy under the European programme Next Generation of the European Union. The aim of NRRP is to find solutions to facilitate spending the holidays in the places where one’s roots reside for the many people of Italian origin present around the world (estimated at about 80 million). Talking about this social phenomenon, according to the ENIT (Italian National Tourism Agency), 15 years ago these tourists in Italy were estimated to be about six million; according to the same study, the income generated was estimated at about €4 million. However, the tourism industry in Italy has paid limited attention to this phenomenon, and moreover public functions have not produced policies to incentivize and re-evaluate it. The same consideration applies to the scientific literature in Italy on the subject, which is difficult to identify as an organized body of studies and research. In this moment, there is a lack of rigorous studies on the real motivations that drive people to organize this type of journey, as well as on the perception of the tourist of the roots by the local hosting communities. The same happened for the analysis of the relationship that is established between roots tourists and the people of local communities. Finally, the reasons that drive the tourist’s roots to return, or not return, to the places of origin. In other words, the existing body of knowledge makes it difficult to conceptually define the phenomenon, in terms of what enables it to focus on its real essence, and two important features that may help to identify slight differences among different types of root tourism, including, for example, genealogy tourism. Generally, there are few studies and research addressing root travel analysis included in his tourism directorate, or in other words, an analysis of the phenomenon which is approached from the perspective of a specific form of tourism. We conducted the field research towards this direction, aiming at elaborating on the ‘tourist’ purpose of this kind of journey. Within the framework of these studies, we wish to offer here a reflection of a specific aspect of the phenomenon in question, which relates to the way the host community perceives and evaluates the social figure of the tourist of the roots. This is a reflection that represents an in-depth analysis of an itinerary of reading about roots tourism who found its appropriate address in a document published more than a decade ago (Romita & Perri, 2009a).
Multiple Identities: Roots Tourist’s Perception in the Host Communities
Tullio Romita
2024-01-01
Abstract
In this work, we will look at the perception of what is known as “root tourism” by local communities specifically referring to the Italian case. The topic is not only relevant to scientific interest, but of clear national relevance as well. In fact, a specific measure was devoted to this form of tourism in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), a document that has been drawn up by the Italian government in 2020 to find a way out of the global coronavirus pandemic’s economic crisis, using the funds allocated to Italy under the European programme Next Generation of the European Union. The aim of NRRP is to find solutions to facilitate spending the holidays in the places where one’s roots reside for the many people of Italian origin present around the world (estimated at about 80 million). Talking about this social phenomenon, according to the ENIT (Italian National Tourism Agency), 15 years ago these tourists in Italy were estimated to be about six million; according to the same study, the income generated was estimated at about €4 million. However, the tourism industry in Italy has paid limited attention to this phenomenon, and moreover public functions have not produced policies to incentivize and re-evaluate it. The same consideration applies to the scientific literature in Italy on the subject, which is difficult to identify as an organized body of studies and research. In this moment, there is a lack of rigorous studies on the real motivations that drive people to organize this type of journey, as well as on the perception of the tourist of the roots by the local hosting communities. The same happened for the analysis of the relationship that is established between roots tourists and the people of local communities. Finally, the reasons that drive the tourist’s roots to return, or not return, to the places of origin. In other words, the existing body of knowledge makes it difficult to conceptually define the phenomenon, in terms of what enables it to focus on its real essence, and two important features that may help to identify slight differences among different types of root tourism, including, for example, genealogy tourism. Generally, there are few studies and research addressing root travel analysis included in his tourism directorate, or in other words, an analysis of the phenomenon which is approached from the perspective of a specific form of tourism. We conducted the field research towards this direction, aiming at elaborating on the ‘tourist’ purpose of this kind of journey. Within the framework of these studies, we wish to offer here a reflection of a specific aspect of the phenomenon in question, which relates to the way the host community perceives and evaluates the social figure of the tourist of the roots. This is a reflection that represents an in-depth analysis of an itinerary of reading about roots tourism who found its appropriate address in a document published more than a decade ago (Romita & Perri, 2009a).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
