On the use of a composite attractiveness index for the development of sustainable tourist routes

Italy boasts the most heritage sites in the world. The cultural heritage is widespread throughout the Italian peninsula, indeed one out of three municipalities hosts at least one museum or an analogous structure. In this context, it is relevant to identify new city networks in order to promote their museums and their points of attraction. In the paper, geo-referenced socio-demographic data together with a new statistical indicator, obtained through the linear combination of visitors ar- rivals, number of tourist accommodations, indexes of cultural and environmental attractions are used to define various touristic sustainable routes in Lecce district. The final results will help policy makers in planning some possible actions aimed at both the cultural development of the territory and definition of strategies for tourism deseasonalisation.