The Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province is a mountainous region located in the north-east of Piedmont Region (Italy) with an altitude from 272 m to 3,273 m. This study focuses on the Antigorio and Formazza valleys that, since mid 800s, have been characterized by depopulation trends (from 4,961 inhabitants in 1861 to 3,274 in 2021). Even if this area is not distinguished by iconic mountains and important ski resorts, in the last decades there has been a growth in tourism flows for nature-based and outdoor purposes. In this context, the presence of traditional dairy production, the Bettelmatt cheese, may be an important element for the tourism offering. Indeed, the name Bettelmatt differentiates it from other local dairy products, being made with specific production rules only in some of the Antigorio and Formazza mountain pastures. The aim of this chapter is to highlight the socio-economic implications generated by the Bettelmatt by focusing on how it can produce income and boost sustainable tourism. To this end, information on local activities is gathered through semi-structured interviews. The results show that the presence of a cheese product can generate an increase in income for local populations, promoting the area and sustaining local economic growth.
Local Food Products as an Element for Fostering Sustainable Mountain Tourism in Marginal Areas. Some Evidence from North-Western Italian Alps
Alessandro Bonadonna
;Stefano Duglio
2024-01-01
Abstract
The Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province is a mountainous region located in the north-east of Piedmont Region (Italy) with an altitude from 272 m to 3,273 m. This study focuses on the Antigorio and Formazza valleys that, since mid 800s, have been characterized by depopulation trends (from 4,961 inhabitants in 1861 to 3,274 in 2021). Even if this area is not distinguished by iconic mountains and important ski resorts, in the last decades there has been a growth in tourism flows for nature-based and outdoor purposes. In this context, the presence of traditional dairy production, the Bettelmatt cheese, may be an important element for the tourism offering. Indeed, the name Bettelmatt differentiates it from other local dairy products, being made with specific production rules only in some of the Antigorio and Formazza mountain pastures. The aim of this chapter is to highlight the socio-economic implications generated by the Bettelmatt by focusing on how it can produce income and boost sustainable tourism. To this end, information on local activities is gathered through semi-structured interviews. The results show that the presence of a cheese product can generate an increase in income for local populations, promoting the area and sustaining local economic growth.
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