Page 248 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Volcano Tourism and its Influence on the Territory of Mt Etna (Italy) — Explored with Digressions to Stromboli (Italy) 225

explosions in the past few years have surprised Further, 7 holiday-rooms, 4 apartments, 4
groups of tourists in the summit area, causing campgrounds, 17 agritourism accommodations, 3
various accidents as people began to run around refugios and 1 hostel, with a total of 1227 rooms
in panic (Behnke, 2005). In contrast, the and 2490 beds (AAPIT, 2008) are available. The
phenomenon of lava-flows is completely non- average stay in the hotels of the Etna Park is only
hazardous to nearly all accessible parts of the one-fifth of the time of similar accommodation
island. The worst-case scenario at Stromboli would elsewhere in the region (AAPIT, 2005). Hotels are
be a sector collapse of the unstable Sciara del located in nearly each of the total 20 communes
Fuoco flank. During its evolution sector collapses of the park, but comfort is by international
were repeated, most recently about 5000 years ago. comparison low and prices are on a high level.
Such a collapse would create calamitous tsunamis There is a lack of small modern hotels, which are
that might jeopardize the surrounding coasts able to offer beds at middle price levels.
(Behnke, 2005). Evidence for this is the minor While the accommodation situation in the
collapse on the Sciara del Fuoco on 30 December larger area of Mt Etna is bad, that in Stromboli is
2002, which generated tremendous tsunamis good. Three small hotels are available during the
several metres high on the coasts of Stromboli high season (March until October). In addition,
island and injured a few people. Areas below the unregistered bed & breakfast guesthouses and
main valleys also have avalanche risks with hot simple private accommodation provide elemental
material sliding from the steep upper slopes of the services at a high price-level. All major hotels use
volcano. These avalanches are able to reach the small vehicles, hand-trucks or three-wheelers to
coast. Substantial secondary hazards also exist for pick up guests and baggage from the boat jetty at
tourists through the unsecured terrain. In addition, Scari. Taking cars to Stromboli is not allowed – to
the risk of a surprising weather turnaround with the main village or to Ginostra. Transport between
all its consequences, such as fog or lightning, is the two villages (Stromboli and Ginostra) is
always present. Particularly with regard to the possible by ship, hydrofoil or small boats. However,
descent, there is a widely unknown risk from rock there is no campsite on Stromboli and casual
falls that may lead to significant injury. camping is not permitted (Alean et al, 2009).

Tourism in the surrounding Analysis of tourism
area of Etna and Stromboli infrastructures and tourist
Analysis of the accommodation facilities at Mt Etna and
situation at Mount Etna and Stromboli Stromboli
An analysis of the hotel structures of the province The presentation of spectacular nature as attractions
of Catania and the Etna Park communities can is not enough to evoke a tourism demand in the
help to understand the current situation for area arround active volcanos. A series of elementary
tourism in the region. The most evident fact is the services are needed. Besides accommodation and
low number of hotels. According to the Azienda attractions an area requires efficient road networks,
Autonoma Provinciale per l’Incremento Turistico basic urban services and hiking facilities as well as
(AAPIT) 2008, the province of Catania is the information services. The first few visitors that
most densely populated province of Sicily with an bothered to climb Etna in the beginning of the
2
area of 3553km and 1.07 million inhabitants. 19th century had to endure many hours of mule
Nevertheless, with only 108 hotels there is a big riding from Nicolosi at 800m to about 2000m and
shortage of accommodation and initiatives for then hike the remaining 1300m to the summit.
visitors. The situation in the municipalities of the Things began to change in the 1930s with the
Etna Park is even worse (24 hotels; 4-stars: 1; building of tourism infrastucture, initally the
3-stars: 13; 2-stars: 6; 1-star: 3; total 864 rooms and construction of the first paved road on the south
2009 beds), compared with 73,977 arrivals. flank, from Nicolosi up to the Cantoniera

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