The project consisted in the definition of a strategy and administration model that would allow the Hampi World Heritage Authority to active a fuse process for the socio-economic and tourist development for the Hampi archeological site, which was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989.

The project area was 236  km² with over 1600 tourist sites (temples, historical buildings etc) and a local population of around 60,000 people spread out among 29 villages.

The existing economy was exclusively based on agriculture, although the last few years have seen a considerable growth in people working in the tourism industry.

The objective of the local government and the institutional players was to activate a process that allowed for, not only the preservation of the immense cultural heritage in the area in question but also to favor the participation of the local community who benefit from tourism.

Services rendered:

• Analysis of the actual situation (actual and possible tourism questions, tourist services, organization of the local tourism system, identification of the principal players to be involved in the development plan, tourist legislation and policies, accessibility and transport, possible environmental questions).
• SWOT analysis (strengths, weakness’, opportunities and threats).
• Organization of laboratories and work groups with the key players in the area (government, public and private sector, local community), to help identify guidelines and tourist development strategies that needed to be applied.
• Detailed identification of a series of pilot activities and projects (infrastructure, economical development, social, institutional etc), to be included in the action plan.

Client:

Karnataka Government  (India), Tourism Dept.

Consulting Fee:

200.000 U$D

Period:

March – October 2009

Partner:

Hydea Srl, ECCOM Progetti, Heritage Conservation Iniciative Consultants (HCIC)