Publication Date: 
8 October 2010

Pages:116

Apulia is situated in south-east Italy and has a surface area of 19 363 km2; the landscape is partly flat and partly hilly. It has the longest coastline of any Italian region, and borders on the Adriatic Sea to the east, the Ionian Sea to the south, and the neighbouring regions of Molise to the north, Basilicata and Campania to the west. The region has 4 069 869 inhabitants2 and its population density of 210 per km2 makes it one of the most densely populated regions of Italy.

This report intends to provide a discussion of issues related to tourism and local development in Apulia region, an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current practices in related policy implementation, and recommendations and guidance on how the Apulia Government can establish and implement a successful sustainable tourism and local development strategy in the Region.

Apulia is recognised as one of southern Italy‘s most dynamic regions, and in recent years there has been a transition from an economy based predominantly on the primary sector to an economy which includes (some) big industry, an important number of SMEs, and a lively tertiary sector which supports the local economy. Recently the region has been opening up to new forms of international and interregional collaboration, participation and cooperation both with the nearby Mediterranean and Balkan countries, and also with areas outside Europe. The active participation of Apulia in the trans-European corridors demonstrates the strong interest in developing and fostering networks to enhance the circulation of goods, people and ideas.

This report is the final output of the project on "Sustainable tourism and local development in Apulia region", developed by the OECD LEED Programme in collaboration with the OECD Tourism Committee, which aims to assist the Regional Government of Apulia and its regional and sub-regional partners in reviewing policies and assets of the Region.

I. 

Introduction

 II. 

Overview of the tourism sector in Apulia

 III. 

Overview of tourism strategy, policy and programmes in Apulia

 IV. 

Challenges and requirements for establishing an integrated tourism development policy in Apulia

 V. 

Training and education policies needs in the tourism sector

 VI. 

An Evaluation Framework for tourism development in Apulia

 VII. 

Summary of analysis, recommendations and suggested actions

 Annex I. 

International examples