RO.ME Museum Exhibition took part in the 2024 edition of Museum Connections Paris – International trade fair, focusing on business and sustainable challenges of museums, cultural and touristic venues, scheduled for Jan. 16-17.

Within the authoritative program of meetings that animated the French event these days, RO.ME Museum Exhibition was the promoter of a panel, realized in collaboration with the Directorate General of Museums of the Ministry of Culture, on the theme “Beyond overtourism: the case of the Archaeological Park of Paestum and Velia.”

Participating in the meeting, moderated by Andrea Billi, Scientific Coordinator of RO.ME Museum Exhibition, were Tiziana D’Angelo, Director of the Archaeological Park of Paestum and Velia, and Valeria Di Giuseppe Di Paolo, Directorate General of Museums of the Ministry of Culture.

The discussion was part of one of the thematic strands of the Venues and territories in motion event, dedicated to exploring the transformation of cultural venues in terms of governance, missions, partnerships and openness to other sectors.

Prominent among contemporary challenges involving many Italian sites is the emergence and enhancement of cultural sites outside the places and cities characterized by mass tourism. Paestum has been a tourist destination since the Grand Tour and has experienced remarkable growth in the past decade. Velia’s rich past only came to light in the 20th century, and while it attracts increasing numbers of visitors, it is still often considered a “minor site.” In this regard, the Archaeological Park of Paestum and Velia, which includes archaeological areas and museums, is a very interesting case study for exploring the challenges and opportunities faced in the enhancement and promotion of cultural heritage outside the main cities of Southern Italy at the regional, national and international levels. The meeting will be an opportunity to discuss a wide range of strategies developed to strengthen the reputation of sites, create a positive impact on the environment and local communities, and help improve the overall quality of tourism in Campania and Italy.