Territorial and local communities development through sustainable tourism: the Italian cooperative business model.

he aim of this study is to investigate sustainable tourism in the Italian cooperative business model, and to present new perspectives with reference to the development of territorial and local communities, in particular internal areas which, because of their geographic position and territorial structure, face serious difficulties in economic and demographic growth. Cooperative enterprises are ideal tools for supporting the implementation of new touristic projectualities in marginal territories, since, compared with other business patterns, they offer a fair balance between social needs and economic dimension. As ascertained, the cooperative model can be an effective operational tool in promoting integrated and inclusive territorial development activities.