COMMUNITIES INVOLVEMENT IN TOURISM. THE CASE OF ALBERGO DIFFUSO

Purpose The relation between travelers and destinations’ residents is meaningful in many rural tourism experiences, nevertheless the discussion about tourism development presents limited research on the role played by local young people and new generations. The present paper wishes to enrich the discussion with Albergo Diffuso (AD) case studies. Design/Methodology/Approach Albergo Diffuso is a specific form of accommodation horizontally organized: the reception is located in a central building and flats and houses are widespread in the surrounding villages and nearby hamlets. The paper presents the AD case studies of Sauris, Sutrio and Comeglians, in the northeast alpine area of Italy, where this form of accommodation was originally conceived as a part of a larger community development and territorial recovery strategies. A qualitative analysis is performed with GABEK to AD stakeholders, local community members and tourists interviews. Results are presented in net graph maps, elaborated by GABEK software. Findings Tourists are attracted by local communities, as much as residents are affected by travelers’ presence. Positive and negative outcomes deeply influence the experience of both guests and hosts. Young people play a key role in local communities and in tourism development. They are more familiar with technologies, speak foreign languages and are generally more open to novelties and meeting new people. Tourists, eager to know communities, tend to interact more with younger residents: ask for information and exchange knowledge. From the point of view of young local residents, the presence of services and facilities (schools, pharmacies, shops, banks, internet connection) and human relations are determinant in the choice to live in rural areas or move away. Originality/Value Many guest-host relations occur between tourists and single tourism operators; they rarely involve the whole community. The specific AD case study enriches the academic discussion with a qualitative analysis in community involvement in tourism. It presents the topic of involvement of young generations in both community and tourism development projects. It introduces GABEK as an innovative method for handling with complex issues that need holistic approaches. Research limitations/implications Limitations are linked to the number of interviews and the selected AD case study, where geographical, historical and cultural specificities can reduce the transferability and generalization of the results. Practical implications The research underlines the importance of young people in supporting community involvement in tourism and tourism activities in general, as much as their key role in the future of local communities in destinations.