Project Tuscany Pet Friendly, new model of tourism development

Born in Tuscany tourism suitable for pet, Project Tuscany Pet Friendly.

After over a year of work in which the University of Florence has conducted research on tourists and hoteliers who put in evidence the data on which to implement the project, have laid the foundations for the construction of a solid and extended network of associates in the region.

The project is aimed at hoteliers and accommodation as farmhouses, Bed & Breakfast, camping, managers beaches, animal welfare groups and pet therapy, and to all those categories working in various capacities in the field of tourism.

This initiative aims to create a tourism offer in line with the needs of those traveling with animals, Suffice to say that the Ciset has estimated that in 2011 were 8 million Italians who have spent their holidays together with their four-legged friends.

Sensitive to the issue of the relationship between man and animal - is the first region in Italy to have adopted a Charter of Rights of the animals - Tuscany has promoted the creation of a new way of thinking about this bond and the holidays of the millions of tourists that all years come to this land.

Pet Friendly Tuscany project has been developed with funds POR CREO ERDF made available by the Region of Tuscany and was conceived by the agency of Divine Patrizia Parretti Florence, Hotel Panorama by Seravalli Ltd., Hotel Palazzo dal Borgo di Riccardo Zucconi ed Hotel Le Due Fontane di Simone Ugolini tutti di Firenze e l’hotel La Melosa di Gabriele Rum di Roccastrada in provincia di Grosseto.

The objective is to have in Tuscany since summer 2015 a tourist service integrated and organic involving the many animal lovers and the facilities and services that are part of the tourism sector.

What Project Tuscany Pet Friendly is a way to contribute to the competitiveness and sustainability of tourist destinations of Tuscany hoping increased and loyalty of those visitors who today find it difficult to move around with animals in tow.

Were studied tenders, package prototype that consider first the well-being of the animal proposing adequate services, develop a new approach in the attitude towards animals and in the formulation of which have made use of the advice of veterinarians and associations dogs.

The project can also help to create a greater attention to animals, as well as an awareness of the correct procedures to be in private and public places, including appropriate training that contributes to environmental protection, the architectural heritage and urban furnishing, sometimes jeopardized by bad behavior of animals and owners.

Pet Friendly Tuscany project aims to facilitate the movement of the entire family and contribute to the seasonal adjustment of tourism, attraverso l’intercettazione di nuovi target e la creazione di eventi ad essi dedicati in periodi di bassa stagione, resulting in a potential increase of employment in the field of training (new educators in the field of zoo anthropology), the specific advice addressed to operators and owners of animals and tourist accommodation.

Ultimate goal is to create a network of companies specializing in welcoming tourism Pet Friendly: a new model of hospitality mature, conscious and sustainable, that would bring Tuscany to European standards.

A network characterized by a trademark "pet friendly" that will be awarded to those who wish to join, according to a criterion of classification marked by "legs".

The "legs" will be assigned to facilities, based on objective parameters that take into account the structural characteristics, the type of company and the quality of services provided.

The end point is the drafting of a written code of conduct for tourism businesses and processed from the data of a survey conducted by the Interuniversity Research Centre and Tourism of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Florence, which will define the quantitative and qualitative aspects the phenomenon that is constantly growing and with the collaboration of the Order of Veterinarians of Florence and the Institute of zooprofilassi Florence.

Michael Lattanzi

By the number 43 – The Year of 10/12/2014