The Transportation System in the Sicilian Touristic Development

Nowadays the society is based on the people and goods mobility, so that results necessary guarantee the efficiency of the transportation system as accessibility and mobility in the territory. The history of tourism in a territory is tightly connected to the evolution of its transportation system; we can affirm that is not present a tourist place, archaeological monument or other tourist attraction if the same are not somehow accessible. In every case the logical bond between transports and tourism must not be found in the simple relationship cause-effect between the transport evolution and the economic development of a territory, but in the complexity of the interdipendence relationships between transports and tourism and tourism and transports. The four principal transportation ways (by road, by railroad, by air and by water) differs one from each other for times, costs and served areas. Nevertheless, the globality of the transportation system can be considered as a component of tourist product when it is intended as a consume only not some tourist destination, but also of the itinerary to be followed for moving from the residental place to the tourist destination. If we consider the geographical marginality of Sicily in the EU, the transportation system represents a strategic role in the throwing down of the "geographical barriers to the entrance" or "local diseconomies". The present paper explores the effects of the recent Regional Plan of the Transports and the Mobility on the Sicilian Tourist Development with particular reference to the occupational aspects both direct, indirect and induced. Moreover it will be highlighted the conclusive role that the regional economic politics can play on transports, by monitoring the market with special rates and limits to the competition.

Sicilian Protected Areas Among Tourist Exploitation and Environmental Guardianship

This report pursues the objective to define the connection that ties exploitation of the environment quality in the protected areas and the opportunities of economic and tourist development. Sicilian protected areas involve a territory full of an extraordinary variety and concentration of historical, artistic and environmental resources, so that they represent one of the main tourist attractions of the Island. Unfortunately, the Sicilian protected areas system shows serious backwardnesses, so that the prevailing image is one of wide zones in state of abandonment and degrade. It needs to start a process of investments and programmes in order to realize an integration between both the basical aims of environmental safeguard and the promotion of sustainable touristic and economic activities. The report presents a brief description of protected areas’ features, as long as considering protected territories as an instrument of local economic and social development. The second part of the paper is focused on the main features of the Sicilian protected areas system, in order to highlight the matters concerning the tourist-recreational exploitation of the protected territories in a sustainable viewpoint.

Our heads in a tag cloud

An article discussing how technology can help in teaching and learning about sustainability

The Italian Mezzogiorno: From a "National Matter" to an "European Opportunity"

The aim of the paper is to analyze the present economic conditions of Southern Italy, particularly regarding the actual competitiveness of this region and possible future developments. We will outline the various features of Southern Italy economy giving emphasis to those limiting its competitiveness and, subsequently, suggesting opportune ways to improve it. Besides an opportunity coming from the international economic scenario, Southern Italy also has a great chance for its development from its traditional sectors. Moreover, it has really important environmental and cultural capitals which, besides an important touristical attractive, represent a potential of competitiveness able to start up development processes. The geographical position of Southern Italy can also bring significant advantages: Mezzogiorno is right in the middle of the mediterranean area which is showing high development potentials and is itself a large potential market. Regarding the institutional and political context, the governmental capacity of local administrations has improved over the last years and they started to pay more attention to increasing and promoting territories’ resources. There has also been a major ability to face criminality and corruption and a new “social disapproval†towards illegal phenomena is growing. Among weaknesses the infrastructural endowment still seems to be inadequate. Transportation infrastructures present low integration between the different modalities with the consequence of difficult reachable market outflows. Logistic systems are still underdeveloped. Negative features are also present within the productive system. Traditional businesses with scarce innovation capacity are still too strong and generally the whole system is not improving network connections and scales economy. Then bureaucracy, even though much less than in the past, is an obstacle especially regarding the start-up of new firms. A big threat is represented by the growing competitiveness of developing countries in some traditional sectors of Mezzogiorno production. Final recommendations will result from the analysis of the actual and perspective economic situation compared with the main developments of global economy.

Checking Up on Retail-Based Health Clinics: Is the Boom Ending?

Outlines trends in the growth of retail-based clinics providing basic care at pharmacies and other retail settings. Examines who uses them, where, for what services, and why; insurance coverage and reimbursement rates; and variations in state regulation

Despite Regulatory Changes, Hospitals Cautious in Helping Physicians Purchase Electronic Medical Records

Examines hospitals' strategies to aid physicians' adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs) following regulatory changes facilitating hospital-subsidized EMRs. Looks at factors determining support for physicians' EMR adoption and their implications

Striking Jump in Consumers Seeking Health Care Information

Examines shifts in how Americans seek health information from sources other than their doctors. Looks at growing Internet use and information-seeking for others, education as a factor, and the impact of information-seeking on perceptions of health issues

Financial and Health Burdens of Chronic Conditions Grow

Points to rising rates of chronic conditions and obesity; growing numbers of patients with problems paying medical bills, even with insurance; and contributing factors such as declining private coverage and delays in accessing care. Outlines implications