Diapositiva 1

The construction of the tourist product "Via
Francigena" in Tuscany
The transformation of the path of the
"Via Francigena" from historical
curiosity or path for a few pilgrims
regardless of the obstacles to real
tourism product passes primarily
from the actual feasibility of the track
in safety as well as the availability of
services along the way.
The main problems to be solved
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•
•
•
•
Safety of the hiking route
Signposting
Information points and the distribution of credentials
Delivery of drinking water along the hiking route
Low cost hospitality
The state of art in Tuscany
What has been done
• New road signs all along the parallel
car route
• Signposting along the hiking trail
• Interventions aimed at safety (mainly separation of
the path from the busy streets)
• Facilities for hikers and pilgrims (mainly low-cost
hospitality, points of supply of drinking water, info
points, dedicated catering etc ...)
• Definition of a cycling route
MASTERPLAN INTERVENTIONS
Some of the interventions
Regional investment for this step:
3.3 million Euro
Projects funded by Regione Toscana for
60% of the total investment
Pilgrims and hikers appreciate ....
"A big THANK YOU and BRAVO reach ALL (pilgrims, associations, public and
private) for the work effectively and generously made," comes from Pierre-Yves-CH,
which has retraced after 11 years, the Tuscan-Lazio tract: signs , nice to meet other
pilgrims (most days), satisfaction to be no longer considered crazy but recognized and
supported as a pilgrim; path improvements and working surfaces (pavements, pedestrian
routes). '
but also
................ we are in Lazio. Now I can make a summary of my journey in
Tuscany. I would say that along the way I did in Tuscany there would be no need
of a roadbook or a road map, so it is well signposted. There were no problems of
any kind except those few which I have already described in the other email.
Obviously the time I chose has led some difficulty, but as far as the Via
Francigena in itself I think you did a great job.
The new Plan 2012-2014
• 13,000,000.00 euros for the completion of the
Tuscan stretch of the Via Francigena
STEP 1
PRIORITY OBJECTIVE STEP 1: interventions necessary to complete
the safety of the path.
FUNDING: 100% of the investment for interventions identified as
priorities by Regione Toscana
Total investment Step 1: € 5,138,540.91
33 PROJECTS FINANCED
19 LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVOLVED
Agreement
"Interventions for the safety of the Via
Francigena"
signed in Pontremoli on 23/06/2012
The new Plan 2012-2014 – Step 1
STEP 2
PRIORITY OBJECTIVE:
complete the infrastructure of the Via Francigena
FINANCING:
100% out of the region for safety and
improvement of the route
60% for infrastructure for hospitality
Total investmente Step 2: € 3,435,207.79
•
30 PROJECTS FINANCED, of which
n. 17 for safety of the track and service infrastructure (€
1,814,890.81)
n. 11 for host structures (€ 1,584,316.98)
n. 2 for the enhancement of the path (€ 36,000)
23 LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVOLVED
Agreement
"Interventions for the infrastructure of the Via Francigena"
signed in Florence on 04/12/2012
The new Plan 2012-2014 – Step 2
Few words about low cost hospitality
•All facilities operating in Tuscany and requiring a fee for the service
provided are included in the provisions of the LR 42/2000 or other
regional laws (agritourisms, private accommodation)
•Ecclesiastical structures that offer free hospitality to the pilgrims do not
fall within the categories specified by the LR 42/2000
The current situation of hospitality for
pilgrims along the Tuscan track of
the "Via Francigena"
•Free Religious Hospitality
•Religious hospitality (free offer )
•Religious hospitality (fee to pay)
•Structures difficult to classify
•Private accommodations
Hostels (in accordance with LR 42/2000)
Houses (in accordance with LR 42/2000)
0
17
9
13
2
5
3
The accommodation facilities along the Via
Francigena in Tuscany (buffer 1 Km)
Total accomodation facilities within 1 km
400
350
300
250
Affittacamere ; 395
200
150
Agriturismi; 262
Case per vacanza; 144
100
Alberghi-Hotel; 141
Allogggi privati; 125
Residenze d'epoca; 16
50
Campeggi; 12
Case per ferie; 15
Residence; 10
RTA; 13
S1
Rifugi; 1
Ostelli; 4
0
Total accomodation facilities within 1 km along the track = 1138
Criteria for identifying suitable accommodation
for pilgrims and hikers
-Distance from the route
An element of great importance for the users of the Via Francigena is the
distance of the accommodation from the path.
Obviously, the acceptable distance varies substantially depending on the
medium used to pursue the path.
on foot or on horseback: 1 Km
Cycling:
5 Km
by car:
10 Km
Services
To be considered functional to the the Via Francigena,
accomodations must have specific services available to customers.
Some of these, which are considered essential, act as a reason to
consider accommodation coherent with the theme "Francigena",
others, considered optional, can be measured as an additional
index of attention to specific customers.
Aiming at pilgrims who choose to walk along the hiking trail
Condition: the structure must be within 1 km from the path
• Essential services:
• Washing and drying clothes service
• First aid kit
• Information material about the path
• Updated weather forecast
optional services
• Luggage transport service to the next destination
Food delivery (even through agreements with third parties) appropriate to
the hikers needs
The next steps .....
• Opening of the 15 stages of the Tuscan stretch within Easter
2014
• Safety measures and signs along the cycling track
• Specifying the path to be done on horseback
• Promotional activities
• Support for the development of integrated tourist offers
Some concluding remarks:
• The "Via Francigena" in Tuscany is a beautiful path, rich in culture and
emotional content, full of religious and historical traces immersed in a
marvellous landscape.
• Is a cultural itinerary whose strength is determined by the charm of the
entire route and not individual traits that make
• The success of the route in terms of tourism is related to the security of the
entire route usability, presence of facilities for pilgrims and hikers but also
in congruence with the priorities of potential users
What are the most important reasons to
choose to walk along an ancient
pilgrimage route?
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•
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Religious?
Cultural?
Landscape?
Sports?
Search for themselves?
In my opinion all these, surely some others,
but .....
The most important are:
• socialization
• membership
Thank you for attention