Giancarlo Dallâra, who created the concept of albergo Diffuso, was awarded the prize Turismo Responsabile (Sustainable Tourism)2010 at this years edition of Italys major Tourism Fair BIT 2010.

The Albergo Diffuso, an innovative concept of hospitality, was launched in Rimini in 2006 as a means of reviving small, historic Italian villages and town centres off the usual tourist track. Almost impossibile to translate literally into English, the widespread hotel  is conceived as a hotel that is not in a single block, but converted out of various historic buildings in a small community. It has to conform to the following requisites:

1)  Run directly by an individual owner and providing normal hotel services

2) Rooms distributed in existing converted buildings in historic centres

3) Central reception area with caffè and food available

4) Part of a genuine community so that guests can be part of local life

To date, there are 40 Italian Alberghi Diffusi, grouped under a National Association and 13 Italian regions have adopted  legislation regulating the concept  Interest in the Albergo Diffuso has also been shown abroad, with Croatia and Switzerland adopting the formula in their own territory. Corsica is expected to shortly follow suit.

For information: Tel.(0039)0541.929777  www.albergodiffuso.comÂ