How can we strengthen the competitiveness of rural sectors to ensure the economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability of the local economic fabric? The General Council of the Alpes-Maritimes, the Province of Imperia, and the Chamber of Commerce of Imperia, leaders of the initiative, worked together on four projects that were presented at the final assessment of the TOURVAL Integrated Territorial Plan (PIT) after five years of commitments and achievements.
Facing this common issue, the territories of the Middle and Upper Country of the Alpes-Maritimes, Piedmont, and Western Liguria decided, in 2007, to join forces to boost the tourism economy of the Franco-Italian mountain areas through the TOURVAL Cross-border Integrated Plan, a term meaning “Valley Tourism,” within the framework of the European territorial cooperation program ALCOTRA 2007-2013.
For Luigi Sappa, president of the Province of Imperia: “This program has contributed to the vitality of the hinterland of our territories through the enhancement of culture, traditions, and gastronomy.”
In turn, Gilbert Mary, Vice-President of the General Council of the Alpes-Maritimes, confirmed that “the great collaboration between our two institutions has greatly benefited rural tourism.”
The diversification of the cross-border tourism offer through innovative initiatives
The enhancement of traditional productions in the sectors of craftsmanship, agri-food, cosmetics, and well-being
“TOURVAL cafรฉ,” which aims to deploy, qualify, and enhance 400 establishments: cafes, restaurants, tourist establishments, and multi-service shops that are Franco-Italian in the Upper Country, notably through the network of 12 Azur Country Bistros and 23 Italian Country Bistros.
“TOURVAL training” for qualifying training for job seekers and within the tourist structures.
In total, 4.7 million euros have been invested in this tourism and territorial enhancement project.
We now await what comes next.
