Intangible Assets in the Competitive Processes of the Cultural Touristic Destination: An Empirical Evidence from Taranto's Destination

The research objective is to analyze the “widespread museum” of the city of Taranto, the systemic set of widespread cultural heritage in the city and in the surrounding area, and to consider it in view of a cultural touristic destination. In particular, the research aims to verify if and how the “widespread museum” may help to achieve social and economic positive externalities, so substantial benefits for stakeholders involved in the local community as the residents, public institutions, enterprises, due to the culture, aptitude to relation, cognitive abilities, knowledge, traditions, customs ingrained in a specific cultural area. Therefore, the role of intangible assets in the development of destination, as perceived by residents, has been defined through some synthesis indicators obtained by factor analysis − which point out the different perception in the areas of residence.