The Sicilian DMOs Islands of Sicily, West of Sicily, Valley of the Temples and Central Sicily, together with Enjoy Barocco have launched an appeal to define a shared governance model for tourism.
Currently Sicily has five DMOs
This crucial issue emerged in the second panel of the conference held on 29th March in Modica, entitled “The role of Destination Management Organizations - good practices and opportunities for tourism development in Sicily.” The abolition of the ATB autonomous tourist boards in 2005 left a void in the management of tourist information and promotion, which was subsequently entrusted to the tourist districts. Then in 2016 the Region set up a commission for the definition of DMO Guidelines, with the aim of merging the districts into seven macro-themes which led to the current five Sicilian DMOs
Safeguarding the future of tourism in Sicily
Despite the work carried out over the years in favour of the regions they represent, the DMOs still operate without a clear regulatory framework that defines their role within the regional tourism promotion and development strategy. The DMOs believe it is urgent to start a discussion that will lead to the updating of regional regulations and the definition of a clear and shared organizational structure for the future of tourism in Sicily.
“Working to develop tourism in the region”
“We have been working with common strategies and unity of purpose for the development of tourism in the region for some time now,- said Rosalia D'Alì, president of the Western Sicily Tourist District. - Now we believe it is necessary to open a direct dialogue with the regional leaders in order to better plan and schedule our activities. The West of Sicily DMO has been finalizing its transformation into a DMC, which will allow the marketing of tourist experiences on the portal. In the future this could become an effective reference for other DMOs.”
