Q: Could you tell us how the event went? A: Despite a shoestring budget and tight deadlines, the event managed to maintain a decent level of participation and this is a small victory for those of us who organize events alone or, as in this case with an administration that does not have great resources. All those who in Sicily previously enjoyed great economic resources related to politics, have not done so this year in the era of the spending review. Thus many historical events have not taken place or have been completely distorted.
Q: Why did you choose to focus on just one manifestation on humble products like garlic and salt? A: This is an event that has already reached the sixth edition, it is not a festival but a meeting point between consumers and producers to promote the excellent products of this territory in their natural context, organized together with the town of Paceco.
Q: Why did you choose the salt pans of Trapani as the location instead of the more central and more famous fish market square? A: The event was born in Nubia within the Oriented Reserve of the Salt Pans of Trapani and Paceco and we like to organize events (usually in a tourist context) in locations of great charm. This is one of the rarest events in Sicily, which takes place inside a nature reserve. The most important elements of the event are: the collection of salt in the traditional way to the sound of the songs of the Salt workers at sunset, which is an amazing setting for the event, as well as guided tours of the reserve by the WWF managing body. There are huge logistical problems to reach the location but we arrange a shuttle bus so as to respect the environment.
Q: One of our members, who attended the event asked us to give you some advice. In his opinion, folk music concerts with people in traditional costume would give a more typical musical accompaniment rather than the, albeit very well esteemed, jazz. What would you say to that? A: The main reason that prompted us to make a choice of this kind was that we do not consider this event to be a national folk festival but due to the content and the location, as something different. To target a more "attentive" public, there are many folkloristic events in the area.
Q: You are also the organizers of cuscusu and Stragusto. Which event gives you the most satisfaction? A: They are events with different characteristics. However, "Stragusto" has an international slant and has a very large and passionate following. After six years, it is very popular and many people from Sicily and other parts of Italy come every year. This year we had the largest number of national and foreign press.
Q: What do you think of the tourism situation in Trapani. Is it destination worth visiting? Would you recommend it to a possible tourist? A: Tourism in Trapani is still "a baby." It needs to grow and must do so in the right way, by networking all available resources on the part of all operators with a more responsive and firm governance by public administrations. In spite of everything, it is a place to recommend (which is what I do consistently when I go out) because it is at the centre of an area rich in many tourist attractons. However, in order for it to become a true tourist destination, we must encourage people to return and maybe for a longer time.
Q: Moving on to strictly local to matters, what is your opinion on the recent controversy regarding the airport of Trapani which has seen a drop in the number of passengers? A: Itīs a false problem. All operators in the area have recieved benefits "by grace of God" No one has done anything in the past, and does little now. The airport is alive thanks to only one carrier that is in fact the biggest travel company in Europe and that moves travellers far and wide, taking advantage of so-called co-maketing by local stakeholders especially public ones. In a scenario where many small companies close (see the Windjet case) other airports compensate for these declines by courting Ryanair and allowing the company to acquire a high contractual capacity. The management company of the airport does what it can but it is left alone by the territory (but it would be useful to understand which towns benefit from this airport)
Q: Do you think there are any methods we could adopt to implement tourism in the province of Trapani? A: One word. Make this place a DESTINATION not just a place where low-cost carriers come ... but itīs a long story ...
Q: Thanks for your time. Is there anything you would like to tell the users of hotel-trapani.com? R: I think it is important before arriving in an area to read a lot of literature, both traditional and new (see portals and social networks) and receive information from multiple sources.
We thank Paul Salerno for his kind interview and wish him good luck for his future tourist events in the territory of the province of Trapani.
COMMENT "INTERVIEW WITH PAOLO SALERNO"
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