Multi-service pilgrimage areas: ideas and new solutions for the promotion and development of the tourism

The study takes into account the Tuscany course of Francigena Way. As part of a project funded by Tuscany Region, the Department has been involved in the revision of Tuscany course, in order to propose solutions at the main problems and to make the way usable with different means of transport: by foot, by horseback, by bike. The main objective of this research is the improvement of services for the tourist-pilgrim who travels by foot, by horseback, by bike, by car or camper along the Tuscan Francigena. The project involves the construction of special areas, called “multi-services pilgrimage areas”, which may include a number of useful services for tourists passing along the Francigena but also to those seeking information on the track, the services and the various initiatives that revolve around the project Francigena. The creation of “multi-service pilgrimage areas” allows tourists to find structures for the temporary parking (picnic area, horse buildings, camper area and bike service) and obtain various information (info-point). All these structures will be designed according to the concept of environmental sustainability (water saving, solar energy, ecological toilets). To ensure design standards at regional level, a unique design methodology for the identification, planning and implementation of these areas has been defined. During the study, hypothesis of constructive solutions for structures and infrastructure were defined. Possible areas for the realization of the stop points along the path were also identified. The variants to the course have been defined and eleven possible multiservice stop points have been located along the way.The research has allowed to define the methodology for the localization, the design and the realization of the multiservice areas, which must be equipped with various structures, such as an info-point, ecological toilets and special wood buildings for the relax of the pilgrims.