The natural answer to overtourism
The creation of the new portal dimorestoricheitaliane.it – the focus of an article in this issue – is one further step in the Association’s broader strategy to become an increasingly active element in the processes of protecting and enhancing the cultural heritage sites and the territories where they are located. This timely and necessary action stems from the growing awareness – based on data provided
by Patrimonio Privato/Osservatorio patrimonio culturale privato/Roma – of how the cultural, social and economic value of the industry of culture and well-being can be an element of development for the nation and for inland areas in particular.
In this regard, as the then Airbnb country manager pointed out a couple of issues ago, Italy stands as a sort of driving horse for the whole of Europe, from the inclusion of residences in booking platforms to the realisation of events such as Carte in Dimora, the third staging of which was a wonderful success, reinforced by the awarding of the governmental medal by the Head of State.
What was missing, however, was a digital solution that our Association could handle directly, constituting not only the great online showcase of historic houses, but also the place to engage in dialogue with them and purchase products. And now we have this one-of-akind portal. The effort was substantial but necessary. This system, our new portal, has the characteristic of being dynamic, continually updated, aimed at those who want to tailor their own vision of travel, sewn for them as though it were a handmade suit.
It is a natural answer to the kind of overtourism I believe all of us have experienced in our post-Covid travels, as defined so accurately by the World Tourism Organisation: “the impact […] on a destination, or parts of it, that excessively and negatively influences the perceived quality of life of citizens and/or the quality of visitors’ experiences.” Historic houses are something else entirely or, perhaps, they simply
transform the adjective “negative” into its exact opposite, “positive.” A surprising journey can be built around residences, around the mindset of immersion instead of “hit and run,” including direct contact with history and with the people (the owners of the residences) and with the places where these assets, unique in the world for quality and quantity, are located. Choosing a historic home as a destination also means economically supporting an area and those who take care of it. Thus, as we await the opening of the Holy Door that on 24 December in St Peter’s will sanction the event of the year – the 2025 Ordinary Jubilee with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” – our cover story shines a spotlight on Rome and on an itinerary through the capital’s historic houses. It will be an invaluable resource for those who want to combine attendance of the great event with the unmatched quality of the experience.
