A focus on tourism, transport and food and wine Journalism, food and wine and tourism opened the 2023 edition of the "Genera Festival" in Castelsardo. The first meeting saw different points of view on the tourist season currently underway during the round table "Performance analysis of the 2023 tourist season". Political and business leaders spoke about it in room XI of the Doria Castle, comparing the national data with the regional ones.

«A fluctuating season, marked by high prices and high fuel prices . There was a slight decline on the part of the Italians; it is a complex phenomenon to analyse", explained the mayor of Castelsardo Antonio Maria Capula, "since aspects such as deseasonalisation and changes in holiday habits come into play".

«The numbers are neutral and reasoned reflections can arise from their analysis», stated the regional transport councilor Antonio Moro . «During the “Summer” season, the one that runs from April to October, we recorded 9 and a half million occupied airline seats, 233 airline connections and 144 international flights involving 25 countries. Numbers never seen in Sardinia. In the two peak months, the total traffic was 5,000,401 presences: never have so many passengers arrived at the ports and airports in Sardinia. It was a record ."

«We are experiencing various problems, including high ferry costs, high air costs» , then replied the deputy Francesca Ghirra , of the Alleanza Verde Sinistra, member of the Transport commission of the Chamber of Deputies. «Those who cannot find affordable prices choose other destinations, more easily reachable by land. The issue of insularity is also gaining ground in parliamentary chambers. The tools currently present are not sufficient to manage these deficits. The Transport Commission is carrying out a fact-finding survey towards mobility 2030 which probes the issues related to transport. We must improve", he continued, "with regards to environmental sustainability since Sardinia can exploit alternative transport , such as cycle-pedestrian paths and immersive nature trails thanks to the little green train. The lack of territorial continuity at controlled prices affects not only those who have to travel for tourism, but also those who have to travel for other reasons, related to health. The role of politics is precisely that of finding mediation."

The evening continued with the awarding of the first two prizes scheduled for the Journalism Award of Sardinia - city of Castelsardo. Edoardo Raspelli , a well-known face on TV in programs such as "Melaverde" and "Eat parade", received the award for food and wine journalism .

The “Travel and Tourism” award went to Simona Tedesco , director of Dove, the monthly magazine dedicated to travel and tourism from Corriere della Sera.

A space was also dedicated to the culinary traditions of the town of Castelsardo, with the awarding of the "Standard of Sardinian cuisine" prize, which went to Pierina Capula. The musical interventions, much appreciated, were provided by the Confraternita Oratorio di Santa Croce di Castelsardo, which performed three pieces.

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