New insight on a geo-heritage sulphur itineraries in Central Sicily (Italy): Challenges and perspectives

This article is focused on the valorization of the cultural heritage represented by sulphur mines in Sicily, Italy. In particular, it represents a first approach finalized to create geo-touristic routes and improve the knowledge of the cultural and industrial Sicilian sulphur heritage. For this purpose, a geographic information system (GIS) was used to create a specific database of the study area. At the same time, a careful territorial analysis was carried out to design a possible sulphur cultural tourist itinerary, following the regional Sicilian laws of the 1990s. In order to achieve the final goal, different actions were preformed, including collection of bibliographic data and reports, sites surveys to define the actual state of the sites, and collaboration with public and private bodies such as universities, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), local governments and associations. The results achieved could represent a good grow opportunity for an economic and touristic growth. In particular, the creation of the Sulphur Cultural Itinerary represented a good way to increase the Sicilian tourist attraction. The itinerary was focused on the data available on the Touring Club's guidebook, but there were differences and improvements. The main differences concerned both the starting point, for its notable landscape, naturalistic and scientific values, and the itinerary roads, some of which were no longer accessible. The outcome reached was a starting point for all stakeholders of geoheritage, such as municipalities, tourism agencies and academics.