Description – SIMRA Social Innovation in Marginalised Rural Areas

Diffused hotel of Pentedattilo

Starting Year:

Scale:Region:

MRA characteristics*: Intermediate Rural Area; 56.8% mountainous with islands with no bridge or tunnel link; ratio of all roads length to region area, 2.8; 47.1% of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion, 63% of people with access to the internet.

Location:

Sector:Topic:

Challenges addressed:

Demographic challenges; Environmental sustainability; Entrepreneurship; Poverty and social exclusion; Employment

Description:

The diffused hotel of Pentedattilo was restored in 2013 by an Italian entrepreneur that decided to revitalise this ancient village, which had been totally abandoned by the local population. The investment in the eco-tourism sector regarded the renewal of 14 houses for a total of 44 beds, by using eco-friendly techniques.

Form:Actors involved:

Practices:

Networking; Assistance & Advice; Social media; Project management; Experimentation

ADI (Italian Association of Diffused Hotels)

Social change:

• The tourism initiative, based on an eco-development model, has led to economic revitalization, to positive environmental and social impacts. • Before, the village was under the control of local organised crime ('Ndrangeta). The restoring is therefore not only conducive to the creation of a new economic opportunity but more specifically to the re-building of a legal economy in a Region where public actors and civil society struggle daily with organised crime.

Further information:

Website:

References:

• Blog post 27/10/2015: Pentedattilo: borgo fantasma calabrese che diventa albergo diffuso

* Information at the level of NUTS 3 or local regions.