The Valorisation of an Ancient Traditional Practice for the Promotion of Rural and Sustainable Tourism: The “Tracing of the Straight Furrow” in Central and Southern Italy

Abstract

The aim of this original contribution is to present the procedures and process initiated by some municipalities in inland areas for the inclusion of an ancient rural tradition, practiced in south-central Italy—the “Tracing of the straight furrow”—in the “National Register of Rural Landscapes of Historic Interest, Agricultural Practices and Traditional Knowledge”. The registry proposes to identify and catalog in a database the rural landscapes, practices and knowledge worthy of importance to safeguard their integrity and vulnerability. The article describes the research activity that was implemented to record the practice, and also wants to show that the standard procedure prepared by the Ministry cannot consist only of desk analysis (data collection, and preparation of the required dossier). Indeed, there is a need to initiate a process that, starting with the proposing institutions, involves local actors and communities who are familiar with traditional places and practices. Citizen participation in this decision-making process that implements the area’s tourism-cultural development policies is also essential to consolidate intra-generational and local relationships: desk analysis is thus enriched by field analysis. This makes it possible to highlight problems/potentialities and help in the selection of contextualized solutions to encourage adherence to initiatives especially after recognition of traditional practice in the National Register.