On July 7, 2020 an agreement was signed between the Foundation of the Mining Route of Santa Barbara, Francigena Service, operating branch of the European Association of the Via Francigena ways EAVF, and SL&A Turismo e Territorio to prepare a Strategic Plan of the Mining Route of Santa Barbara in Sardinia.

The Mining Route of Santa Barbara is an important itinerary that winds through the Sulcis-Iglesiente Geo-Mining Historical and Environmental Park in Sardinia. The route of 30 stages and about 500 km allows you to retrace an old miners’ trail and railways used for transport of minerals.

The Santa Barbara project, represented by President Giampiero Pinna, constitutes a blueprint of Sardinia’s routes, defined by the Strategic Plan of Italian Tourism PST 2017-2020 as a new axis of development of Italian tourism.

Francigena Service was represented by Massimo Tedeschi, the Director and the EAVF President. The association is a great example of success in terms of viability and international recognition of the Council of Europe.

SL&A Tourism and Territory, a consultancy company specialised in tourism, represented by CEO Michela Valentini and President Stefano Landi, has 32 years of experience in developing tourism strategies for the Autonomous Region of Sardinia and many other Italian regions and foreign destinations.

The afore-mentioned agreement entrusts organisation of meetings and training sessions aimed at:

• development of a catalogue of usable and profitable tourism products;
• establishment of the route’s governance system shared with local stakeholders and walkers;
• elaboration of the route’s vision and its operational tools;
• development of a branding strategy, including flag actions to increase its visibility and improve the reputation.

The intense workplan, following the needs of physical distancing of the current health emergency, will be finalised by November 2020.

“We are very satisfied for having entrusted the Strategic Plan to Francigena Service and SL&A Turismo e Territorio, – said President Giampiero Pinna after signing the agreement. – Their experience and professionalism are a guarantee of successful future for the Mining Route of Santa Barbara.”

In the end of the Holy Mass in the Shrine and Monastery of the Good Way, the Nuns of Clarisse order handed over the Testimonium of Giusy Cardia, a Sardinian pilgrim from Malta who travelled almost 300 km of the route.

On this occasion, three presidents accompanied by Sami Tawfik, EAVF project manager and Michela Valentini, CEO SL&A, visited several sections of the Mining Route of Santa Barbara.

More information here: https://www.camminominerariodisantabarbara.org/