Enhancing Tourism Through Local Development Strategies (LDSs): A Study of FLAG Marche Sud Area

This article focuses on the role of the community-led local development (CLLD) methodology in the promotion of the integrated development of local communities. This study explores the potential of CLLD as a tourism enhancement tool for five municipalities within the FLAG Marche Sud area. The analysis has been carried out through a literature review and in-depth interviews. To explore the relationship between CLLD and tourism, local development strategies (LDSs), and stakeholder collaboration, the research examines the methodology in terms of its definition, funding, implementation, and monitoring. The findings suggest that the CLLD approach can help local communities to maximize the opportunities offered by EU funding streams, in particular through food festivals. Also, it can help them identify their strengths and develop tourism strategies that suit their peculiarities. Anyway, all the relevant stakeholders need to cooperate to ensure a successful implementation of the methodology. The study provides a theoretical contribution to how CLLD can be an effective tool for enhancing tourism within local communities. The present article is a groundwork for the FLAG Marche Sud marketing plan.