We just heard from our friends in the Cinque Terre the other day, emailing to give us an update on the restoration efforts after the massive landslides and floodings which crippled the towns of Vernazza and Monterosso.
The towns are bouncing back with enthusiasm and determination, and they WILL be open for the 2012 tourist season! The best way to support these communities is to book your vacation for 2012 and spend some time with these extraordinary folks. Let the re-opened restaurants serve you a great meal, tour the vineyard hillsides, and pop open a bottle of Sciacchetrà purchased straight from one of the winemakers in town.
But the other thing you can do is to support the efforts for sustainable tourism and environmental preservation in the area. A recent investigation was opened to question whether or not the construction and building now taking place in the hills above the area contributed in any way to the massive landslides.
Investigation into Cinque Terre Flooding
Ripping down centuries old natural barriers to build (maybe, for example, hotels or swimming pools) may have consequences we don't really consider until it's too late.
This is the essence of sustainable tourism- balancing what is needed to encourage the local tourist economy while still preserving the natural ecosystem of the area, which for thousands of years let Mother Nature determine what was needed where and when.
And this balance, and the challenge that comes with it for the citizens, is the focus of our film:
Kickstarter: Vendemmia A Documentary Film
Support the film, and support sustainable tourism in the Cinque Terre.
Sharon & Krista
