New ways of using traditional resources: the case of Cilento in southern Italy coastal area

Territories can be considered as a system of "excellence" resources and distinctive competencies to be simultaneously exploited and enhanced. Therefore enhancing natural and cultural resources are key-actions for destination development. These actions are more effective when implemented within new frameworks of participated, integrated and sustainable development, based on local identities and vocations. This paper illustrates the case study of an area of exceptional value included in UNESCO list: Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the archaeological sites of Paestum-Velia, and the Certosa di Padula. This area is characterized by an unbalanced development from the social (entrepreneurial vitality), geographic (coastal/inner areas) and seasonal (summer/winter periods) point of view. This study aims at analyzing and evaluating how the creation of a network including natural, cultural and business resources could create a synergic governance for local and tourism development. When new connections between seaside and hinterland areas are created and developed, these resources can fully express their potentials, provide value added to the destination and achieve a competitive advantage. The expected results are useful to promote a differentiated tourism in the area by offering guidelines, suggestions, and recommendations useful for local actors to increase the value of each resource.