#

IT.A.CÀ the Italian Festival of Responsible Tourism

Obiettivi:

Established in 2009 in Bologna, IT.A.CÀ is Italy's first and only festival dedicated to responsible tourism. Its name cleverly combines the Bolognese dialect phrase "ît a cà" (meaning "are you at home?") with a nod to Ithaca, the legendary homeland of Ulysses, symbolizing the journey towards sustainable and conscious travel.

Over the years, IT.A.CÀ has evolved into a nationwide, multi-stage event that spans from May to November, encompassing over 20 locations across 11 Italian regions. The festival offers a diverse array of activities, including eco-tours, community workshops, cultural performances, and educational seminars, all designed to promote sustainable tourism practices and environmental stewardship.

A core mission of IT.A.CÀ is the preservation and promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). By engaging local communities in the storytelling of their traditions, customs, and histories, the festival fosters a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity and encourages the transmission of ICH to future generations.

In 2018, IT.A.CÀ received the UNWTO Award for Innovation in Non-Governmental Organizations, recognizing its excellence in promoting sustainable tourism and cultural preservation.

Through its innovative approach, IT.A.CÀ not only champions environmental sustainability but also serves as a dynamic platform for cultural exchange and community empowerment, exemplifying how tourism can be a force for positive change.

Website: https://www.festivalitaca.net/ 



The European Commission's support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Legal description – Creative Commons licensing: The materials published on the NICHE 2 project website are classified as Open Educational Resources' (OER) and can be freely (without permission of their creators): downloaded, used, reused, copied, adapted, and shared by users, with information about the source of their origin.