Addresses for public governance and sustainable economic growth for a new identity of the Tremiti Islands

This paper describes a study performed on the Tremiti Islands (Southern Italy), affected by a series of problems derived from conditions of marginality and depopulation. The study discusses the role of public governance and the implementation of local policies to promote the environment regeneration and economic growth of these areas. Many opportunities for local territories to facilitate their transition to an inclusive and green economy are identified, based on an efficient management of main resources such as water, energy, waste, and the restoration of biodiversity and the reduction of pollution. The study moves from the addresses set by the Common Strategy and Action Plan developed within the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas (CETS) of the Gargano National Park. It focuses on the actions to be implemented in the Tremiti Islands to promote sustainable tourism preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the area and enhancing local socio-economic resources. In detail, it was investigated the potential effect of digitalization and the benefits of digital and smart tools to address the challenges of contemporary urban governance of Tremiti islands. As a result, a proposal to implement innovative information services and tourist experiences on San Domino and San Nicola islands was made, to allow visitors to explore the islands by promoting sustainable mobility and smart connectivity