The CNA BARI hosted the final conference on November 30th, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the capitalization efforts of the Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro HAMLET project. Held at the CNA Bari headquarters, the conference aimed to present the noteworthy outcomes of the HAMLET PLUS project and foster discussions on future initiatives.
Michele Piccoone, President of CNA Bari, inaugurated the event with a warm welcome and commendations for the project's achievements. Piccoone underscored the unique nature of artisanal activities and their transformative impact, expressing satisfaction with the enduring success of the project. Blerina Kanaj, Specialist from the Ministry of Culture, extended greetings and provided insights into the significance of the project for the involved territories, setting a welcoming tone for the conference.
The conference featured presentations from key project contributors, including Blerina Kanaj and Vjollca Dega, who highlighted the impactful activities undertaken in Albania. Discussions revolved around the development of cultural itineraries, boosting local craftwork, and the ministry's role in preserving Albanian culture. The audience actively engaged in exploring the presented tourist itineraries, debating their practicality and discussing potential road infrastructure improvements.
Grazia Petrosino, the Project Coordinator of CNA Bari, presented the achievements in Puglia, emphasizing the organization's role in promoting artisanal manufacturing, culture, and eco-tourism. A workshop, dynamic B2B event, creation of new touristic itineraries, and support for a postcard collection were among the notable activities. Subsequent discussions delved into strategies for supporting local craftwork and heritage valorization.
Loredana Campanelli, President of Union Commerce & Tourism CNA Puglia, shared insights into the "Programmazione 365" and Destination Management Organization (DMO), emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts and the preservation of tourism as a crucial economic asset.
Aurora Losacco from the Interreg South Adriatic Programme provided an overview of ongoing initiatives and the upcoming call for Standard projects, encouraging participants to explore potential project ideas.
Pierfelice Rosato illuminated the current state of tourism in Puglia, addressing seasonality challenges and advocating for a shift in branding strategy. Rosato urged stakeholders to move beyond destination branding, focusing on enhancing the overall offering system. He emphasized the role of operators in this transition, calling for strategic investments in communication activities and collaborative endeavors.
Manila Benedetto, a digital and social media strategist, unveiled the future of storytelling, emphasizing virtual means in destination promotion. She highlighted the transformative power of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), positioning these technologies as catalysts for stimulating the desire for exploration and authentic real-life experiences.
The conference concluded with a project design session moderated by Grazia Petrosino and Blerina Kanaj, where participants collaboratively generated innovative project ideas aligned with the conference themes.
In closing remarks, Grazia Petrosino expressed gratitude to all participants for their active engagement and contributions to the success of the conference. She highlighted the collaborative spirit that defined the event and looked forward to the continued exploration of innovative projects in tourism, culture, and artisanal development in the South Adriatic regions.
