The project initiative is part of measure 7.5.a "Support for the development and renewal of villages," designated ACTION 1.1.1 "Living and traveling in the Sicani DRQ" - Sicani Local Action Plan - Thematic Area "Sustainable Tourism."
The initiative is led by a partnership led by the National Association of Social Action / A.N.A.S. - Provincial Presidency of Agrigento and ten other partners, including the Municipality of Raffadali and the Municipality of Porto Empedocle.
The project envisions the creation of two Functional Municipal Units of the Sicani DRQ, in the municipalities of Raffadali and Porto Empedocle, respectively.
Before describing the specifics of the itineraries and attractions of the municipalities constituting the beneficiary partnership, it is necessary to provide a descriptive framework for why these two municipalities are involved in a single project.
Looking south at Sicily, the municipalities of Porto Empedocle and Raffadali border Agrigento, which, with its "Valley of the Temples," represents one of Sicily's most important tourist destinations. The "Valley of the Temples" is approximately 7 km from Porto Empedocle and less than 15 km from Raffadali. Tourists visiting the "Valley of the Temples" and/or the "Scala dei Turchi" typically stay between one and three days and represent a potential market for neighboring municipalities that can offer a range of services and amenities that meet the needs of today's tourists.
The municipalities' decision to join together and network from the project proposal submission stage translates into an integrated tourism offering rich in modern services and represents the natural consequence of the tourism opportunities left untapped by the aforementioned attraction.
It is above all the service delivery method and the quality of the networked offering that represent the strength of this project. Indeed, food and wine, and a pristine, fully accessible environment, both marine and mountainous, represent an increasingly growing component of tourists' needs when designing holiday itineraries.
The guiding principle is therefore to integrate a range of museums, historical, artistic, and archaeological attractions with excellent food and wine and quality local craftsmanship. These attractions, in the proposed itineraries, blend seamlessly into the local environment, both mountainous and marine, which provides the backdrop for bike excursions, walks in historic centers, and trekking excursions outside the towns.
Specifically, the project, for each of the two territorial areas, Raffadali and Porto Empedocle, envisions the creation of:
1. a recreational and cultural center connected to the Raffadali area's attractions and quality agricultural production;
2. an information office, tourist reception, and tourist services;
3. integrated local tourist itineraries;
4. a tourist signage system for the Sicani Regional Natural Park;
5. an internet portal and an app