A New Way to the Knowledge of Historic Sites: The Albergo Diffuso Model

The Albergo Diffuso (dispersed hotel) is a model for local tourism development that allows guests to experience an historic, usually urban, setting. Accommodation is provided in houses and rooms located a short distance away from the core of the hotel itself, the building in which reception, the bar/restaurant area, and the common spaces and services are located. The increasing spread of this model is mainly due to the responsiveness of part of the tourism market to ideas of sustainability and environmental friendliness. The model is compatible with the goal of enabling the continuation of economic development, which has not always been respectful of environmental values. It is believed that the very nature of this type of accommodation, thinking in terms of a large and flexible version of the model, may be particularly suitable for a local development plan. It can reduce the environmental impact in settings that have been already adversely affected by previous economic growth strategies that have turned out to be disrespectful of their surroundings.