INCLUDING LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO MAKE TOURIST DESTINATIONS MORE WELCOMING. THE SITE CASE STUDY

At a time when there is much debate about sustainability in every sphere, there are several challenges in the field of tourism. One of the major ones concerns the difficult relationship between resident communities and tourists. Overtourism, gentrification, seasonality and pollution generated by mass tourism put these two categories of users in opposition. However, there are opportunities that can generate situations that benefit both. Specifically, the article will present a case study financed by Interreg Italy-Croatia 21-27 funds that aims to make three pilot destinations more welcoming by improving their accessibility through adherence to the principles of Universal Design. The involvement of all the local stakeholders of the three destinations is one of the fundamental elements, both for the management of codesign activities and to initiate a general awareness of the importance of being welcoming by recognizing and respecting the diversity of all.