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Volcano Tourism and its Influence on the Territory of Mt Etna (Italy) — Explored with Digressions to Stromboli (Italy) 231

not always been easy to realize these objectives – improvements in the road network, the
especially the last – in recent years, Despite the development of shipping companies to provide
large variety of natural and environmental further connections, modernization of the airport
resources, most of them are undeveloped for at Catania and preservation of structures of general
tourist purposes. The majority of initiatives were interest. But there is a need for action to restructure
structural interventions like the creation of the public transport network to Mt Etna, to
footpaths and viewing platforms, signposting and modernize the hotel industry in both areas and to
the redevelopment of cottages. Today’s official develop general volcano tourism services. In
focus is the promotion of sustainable tourism to particular on Mt Etna, without central visitor
approve positive impacts on the socio-economic information centres the public relations and the
development and to afford a serious alternative for scale of information services for tourists is low.
the migration-streams from rural areas. In reality, Actually, local authorities do not seem to have the
the park is still far away from its objectives. For intention to support these structures financially,
sustainable tourism-management, the sporadic notwithstanding that tourism is the most important
development of infrastructure, the offering of economic resource on the island. In contrast, the
guided tours and the management of its own tourist information system at Stromboli is much
administrative structures are not enough. Volcano better with numerous signs, a tourist-information
tourism should rather be planned and organized centre and a museum that gives visitors all the
through an analysis of the current situation and information they need.
the potential demand in the area – only then can Nevertheless, the lack of physical structures or
a basis for revaluation and rescheduling tourist projects is not the only reason for low international
infrastructure systems, for adding to public services demand. It is rather a lack of attention from tourist
for tourism, as well as providing the activities to operators as well as the inadequate presence of
support tourist utilization be found. Furthermore, pages of private hirers and tour operators themselves
cooperation between the different official and on international booking sales channels like the
economic stakeholders would be necessary to Internet. The analysis of hotel structures also
offer an integrative tourist concept for the region. shows a big shortage of modern tourism
accommodation and a clear lack of initiatives in
Conclusions this area. It is also visible through representation of
Mount Etna and Stromboli belong to the most the Etna and Stromboli region in travel catalogues.
popular volcano destinations of the world due to The focus is on commercial payoff without major
their frequent and moderate volcanic activity, their reinvestments from the enjoyment aspect of
aesthetic landscapes, development of infrastructure volcanism. In consequence, existing structures
and the growth of tourist attractions in recent become obsolete and prices continue to rise. A
decades. However, these volcano tourism lack of professional marketing combined with a
destinations have their differences as the previous lack of information channels for interested visitors
sections have shown – mainly in terms of visitor are responsible for the fact that little further
structures and numbers, visitor activities and travel international tourist demand has been generated
incentives, tourism development, infrastructure in the past few years. The local political and
and their individual hazard potential. tourism management system is disorganized and
Mount Etna is primarily an excursion tourism there is little meaningful use of public funds by
destination for package tourists and domestic local authorities. There are still shortcomings
tourism has great significance. The distance from relating to organization and cooperation between
international markets and the absence of advertising different authorities like the park management,
and lack of transport systems causes a ratio of 1:3 representatives from the commune and province,
between foreign and Italian visitors (AAPIT, scientists and representatives of the tourism
2005). Despite limited resources for tourism industry, and in the meantime the volcanoes
promotion, various projects have been initiated to continue to be active and a risky environment for
expand international tourism demand, for example, tourists.

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