Page 76 - SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2016

YOU LOCAL COMMUNITIES 77

Discovery of hidden treasures, For these more private getaway
added value for all destinations, if they are guaranteed
signifi cant numbers of tourists on a
An integral part of the path to development regular basis, they can plan improvements
of the local economy in a port of call as to their infrastructure and accessibility,
well as management of the fl ows of cruise safe in the knowledge that it will be easier
passengers and the resulting impact is the to obtain funding for this work from
+150 identifi cation of new places and cultural public and private sources. Local planners
attractions to add to our shore excursion can also make provision for sustainable
SHORE TOURS program. Our policy of adding new tours development of facilities in these places
COMPARED TO THE to places off the beaten path is in line which, being away from the hustle and
YEAR BEFORE with our goal of diversifying our off er bustle, are not used to catering for large
further and, more importantly, increasing numbers of visitors.
the opportunities for interaction with Costa Cruises is synonymous with “Italy’s
local stakeholders so as to promote the fi nest”. Though a global operator, our
development of the tourist industry more center of gravity lies very much in the
evenly in the areas around the cruise port. Mediterranean, especially Italy where
This is part of our strategy of contributing we make an average of over 650 calls
to the long-term development of a year in the country’s main ports. In Museo and Real Bosco di Capodimonte: bringing tourists to
sustainable tourism also in places which, 2016 the Company began introducing
despite their splendid artistic and cultural shore tours of discovery to “hidden” Italy one of the most important parts of Italy’s artistic and botanical
heritage, are relatively little known to and its treasures, focusing on places off heritage
the public at large and do not feature on the beaten track and adding them to Costa’s partnership with Naples’ Museo and Real Bosco di Capodimonte is a tangible example of our commitment working
standard tour programs. The advantages the catalogue according to a new logic side-by-side with the Ministry for Cultural Aff airs & Tourism to foster and promote Italy’s fi nest. The aim of the alliance
are threefold: fi rst, guests have the chance of traveling to the heart of new and is to increase the number of international visitors to this former royal residence with its extensive grounds. Cruise guests
to see hidden gems, especially cultural unexpected gems, particularly cultural now have the chance to appreciate the Farnese art collection – one of Europe’s most impressive, with works from the 13th
attractions; second, the environs of the attractions. century to the contemporary period, comprising many unique but relatively unknown masterpieces. To this end we are
cruise port have increased visibility and a running organized shore tours to Capodimonte, and promoting them on board our ships porting in Naples. This is done
boost to their development; and third, by by means of a special introductory video inviting cruisers make the most of this opportunity to discover this hidden gem’s
redirecting a certain number of cruisers artistic wonders and splendid pastoral park. In addition to a guided tour of the museum, Costa’s guests can go on a bike ride
to these often hidden slices of paradise, in the peace and quiet of the Real Bosco estate.
the most popular places – those on the
standard tours – are less crowded than
they would otherwise be.