L’albergo diffuso tra ricettività ed esperienza. Riflessioni a partire dalla Liguria e Sardegna

The albergo diffuso is a practice that has been growing in Italy for about forty years. After the first cases in Friuli Venezia Giulia, this type of accommodation facilities has gradually consolidated in many Italian regions. Such experiments were originally seen as an opportunity (both economically sustainable and with low environmental impact) to provide accommodation in small Italian villages, not always equipped enough from this point of view. Indeed, this kind of accommodation facility is based on the enhancement of the existing built heritage as a legacy of local history. This paper proposes a critical reflection on the albergo diffuso, interpreted not only as an accommodation facility (therefore from the point of view of hospitality), but also as a promoter itself of a touristic experience that is capable of contributing directly to tourism enhancement in the contexts where it is located. To support this hypothesis, reflections will be presented from experiences in Liguria and Sardinia, in order to discuss the potential of the albergo diffuso as an opportunity for the touristic valorisation of Italy's marginal regions.