Master in International Tourism students pitch sustainable tourism ideas

Graduate students of the USI Master in International Tourism recently had the opportunity to pitch their ideas for sustainable tourism products suitable for Ticino to Angelo Trotta, director of the Ticino Tourism Agency (ATT), and Veronica Lafranchi, staff member of the ATT sustainable tourism division. The three ideas are called Local Eyes, CampVan and Rediscover Ticino.

Three new ideas to encourage sustainable tourism in the Canton of Ticino were devised by USI students as part of the Master's course "Sustainable tourism colloquium" held by the programme director Prof. Rico Maggi. The proposals, which received good feedback from ATT representatives, are based on the concept of slow tourism, focussing therefore on the economic, social and environmental sustainability in the region. The first idea presented, Local Eyes, envisages a destination management company offering experiences that allow tourists to discover aspects of local culture, as well as some of the "hidden pearls" of Ticino, seen through the eyes of a local guide. The second proposal, CampVan, is an environmentally-friendly campsite that offers a unique accommodation for campers, inspired by a modern reinterpretation of the hippie lifestyle. Finally, with Rediscover Ticino, the idea is to create a sustainable network of renovated traditional Ticino farms (masserie), allowing tourists to rediscover the roots of the Canton, learn about its traditions and raise the overall sense of community.

This important dialogue and exchange between graduate students and the Ticino Tourism Agency shows the importance of interacting with the region for future tourism sector specialists, who, during their studies in International Tourism, can learn how to address the challenges of sustainability in the field of tourism.

For more information on the USI Master in International Toursim:
www.usi.ch/mt

About the Ticino Tourism Agency:
www.ticino.ch