Researching the creative potential of the itinerary
In order to test the creative potential of the Phoenicians’ Route, research has been conductedi to shed light on both its structural and functional aspects and above all to specify the contribution of creativity to the processes of production and development of the tourist-cultural offer. The research has been focused on two specific areas: a pilot project of the itinerary, ‘Voyages of Interculturality’ and the local network of the partners of the itinerary operating in the area of northwestern Sicily. The aim of the first part of the research was to detect forms of tourist creative consumption on the ‘Voyages of Interculturality’ and how they have been perceived by the participants. This project in fact contained several activities related to cultural development, ranging from the most traditional ones to the most creative and experiential ones. The case study selected is represented by a group of about 50 French high school students who made the trip in the month of March 2010.
The second part of the survey on the route was directed to the local network of partners operating on the region of northwestern Sicily. A representative group of stakeholders was interviewed to analyze the mechanisms that characterize the local network supporting the itinerary, and the creative dynamics and processes operating within it. In particular, this research aimed to evaluate: if participation in the network is perceived as a factor of potential growth and general improvement for individual participants and their activities; and what the contribution of creativity and of creative processes in achieving this aim is.