The despised Italian city that is now winning awards as the best tourist destination (VIDEO)

2024-07-30 21:10:13Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
The despised Italian city that is now winning awards as the best tourist
Grosseto

Despite the fact that Tuscany is a very popular destination for tourists, the Grosseto part of this region has always been neglected. But recently it is welcoming a boom in visitors.

Only an hour away from Florence and Siena, Grosseto with its historic city center, wild nature reserves and beaches very close by, has long been overlooked by tourists and even Italians themselves.

It has already become what is considered the "European Pioneer of Smart Tourism" for 2024, as well as being selected among a list of 40 cities. This competition aims to create a network of destinations that share best practices for responsible tourism.

As the first Italian city to win the award, Grosseto hopes to act as an example of how responsible tourism can be applied even in a place that is not widely known by tourists. If popular destinations such as Venice, Positano and Cinque Terre struggle with large numbers of tourists, Grosseto's efforts illustrate how alternative destinations can attract visitors seeking a slower, more meaningful travel experience.

Grosseto's historic city center, surrounded by intact medieval walls and filled with centuries-old buildings, is one of the main attractions. Just a few kilometers west of the center is the Maremma Regional Park that stretches from the Uccellina Mountains to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Unlike Tuscan tourist hotspots such as Florence and the Chianti wine region, Grosseto is one of the least populated provinces, so the Park still offers diverse unspoilt landscapes.

Grosseto's approach to tourism offers a blueprint for how sustainable travel can work, taking into account everything tourists love about the country, its natural beauty, authenticity, traditional culture, history and food. The modern and responsible traveler wants a genuine experience where they leave a minimal footprint and Grosseto is ready to provide it. "The culture of travel must change, for the planet, to protect the environment. But also for people, they can travel and go on vacation in a different way and we can be a model for other cities", says the mayor of Grosseto.

 


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