Author(s)

SABRINA MENEGHELLO, ERICA MINGOTTO

Abstract

This paper aims to demonstrate the role of networks of historic houses as a possible strategic asset for territorial and tourism development, both for the diversification and innovation of the offer of mature destinations as well as for the development of minor ones. In particular, a specific case study will be presented, namely the system of over 4,000 Venetian Villas located in Northern Italy (specifically in the Veneto Region) around which an increasingly organized tourist offer is taking shape, based on experiential proposals that see the Villas as a base for the discovery of the landscape and the typical features of the surrounding area. This case has been studied in terms of the prevailing business conducted within the Venetian Villas and the reference market and has been related to other good practices in Italy and in Europe. The study has made it possible to highlight that the success of the development of a system of historic houses, besides the value of the residences from a network perspective, lies in the harmonious integration with the other local resources, e.g. the wine product in the case of the Venetian Villas, in order to achieve immersive experiences which are rich in meaning for tourists and create widespread effects in the area. The study has recognized that, given the specific tourism demand interested in this attraction and considering that such dwellings are generally inserted in a prestigious landscape, the only reasonable path to follow is sustainable development with the aim to safeguard authenticity.

Keywords

historical residences, tourist offer differentiation, minor destinations, cultural tourism, sustainable development