The next step is therefore the classification of the towns able to receive the project hy-
pothesis as well as the definition of the way in which it should be implemented and man-
aged.
4.2. Classification of the potentiality
Regarding the classification of potentiality, initially the criteria governing this potentiality
are identified: they are based on the presence of a series of factors that are subdivided
into essential and reinforcing.
The former relate to the realization of the objectives of the hypothesis (see the concep-
tual plan in Figure 2) through the presence of significant agricultural values, typical of
the area, as well as the necessity for the link with the C zones of the park and with the
base points for excursions in the B zones, with the aim of integrating the hypothesis with
the fruition of tourism in the protected area. These are considered essential for the reali-
zation of the hypothesis in as much as in the absence of just one of them, the hypothesis
itself loses that strategic meaning that initial theses express, especially in terms of the
overall framework of the revitalization of the total area studied, where the Etna Park as-
sumes a leading role.
The latter, the reinforcing factors, are made up of the more significant historic-cultural
and ethno-anthropological values present in the towns and already brought to light by the
preliminary analyses on the towns in the sub-areas. These are considered reinforcing as
values that add to the agricultural values, which are still essential, but which give greater
strength to the basic project idea with the aim of the fruition and the revitalization of all
the resources in the area.
Through an orientational record card (Figure 4) the evaluation of the towns' potentiality
for receiving the project idea is carried out and they are classified according to a scale of
four values that take into account, above all, the greater or lesser presence of the former
factor, in the co-presence in any case of the latter, as well as the presence of the two
factors considered as reinforcing the former.
The classification, also in figure 4, is also displayed on a map of the area studied.
4.3. Modes of implementation
How do we do? There are indispensable:
- assistance with and protection of the development of a quality tourism product
(niche market);
- implementation of a marketing strategy for each of the distinct marketable sub-
region within the area of operations;
- achievement of economies of scale through effective use of cooperative market-
ing;
- targeting of higher spending and/or longer stay visitors from identified source
markets in order to optimize use of facilities and services;
- achieving a balance between the demand of the local community with the com-
peting interests of external investors and tourism operators.
The modes of implementation of the project hypothesis are listed in the methodological
plan of Figure 2. These are project elements that are not only indispensable for its im-
plementation, but are most significant in terms of the objectives that the hypothesis sets.
Among these elements, the restoration and/or rehabilitation of the infrastructures of the
rural road network should be emphasized - ranging from supporting and boundary walls