A public forum bringing together the community and experts to build a model of tourism and hospitality rooted in the happiness of residents: this is Voci a Pitigliano.
Pitigliano, in the heart of the Maremma toscana, with its centre carved out of tufa rock, suspended between nature and a history stretching back to the Etruscans, is among Italy's most iconic small towns — yet it is grappling with the negative effects of tourism.
For this reason, the local authority has launched a process of shared reflection with its citizens, rethinking the relationship with visitors — but first and foremost prioritising the happiness of residents — towards a model of hospitality that should above all be a space for dialogue, going beyond purely economic considerations.
It is within this process that the event Voci a Pitigliano takes shape: from 11 to 19 April, across two weekends, the town will host public meetings, lecture-performances and conversations with some of Italy's most authoritative scholars and journalists. Not a celebratory event, nor a festival, but a series of moments of public dialogue and listening.
Voci a Pitigliano is the natural continuation of a process of self-reflection and participation launched by the municipality through the initiatives of Pitigliano Turismo 2025: from a questionnaire distributed to citizens, to the formation of thematic working groups, through to an initial exchange with the mayors of small towns across Toscana, invited to share challenges, visions and possible shared strategies.
"Pitigliano – explained mayor Giovanni Gentili – is betting on a distinctive model, built around the needs and expectations of the local community. Over these months we have talked with our citizens about the negative effects of hit-and-run tourism, the spread of short-term rentals and the consequent loss of character in the historic centre. These are issues shared by many Italian towns. We feel the need to deepen our reflection with the contribution of scholars and experts, in order to manage certain phenomena by charting the path best suited to our specific reality. The various meetings will bring together regional and local administrators, university professors and journalists, associations and, of course, citizens — all with an active role."
The programme of Voci a Pitigliano features thematic sessions built around key words that emerged from interviews with local residents: listening, awareness, happiness and directionality. The project is curated by Simone Marrucci and the initiative has received the endorsement of the Regione Toscana, Toscana Promozione Turistica, Anci Toscana and Unioncamere. The full programme is available here.