Roots Tourism and Worldwide Apulian Associations' Experience

The research goal is to investigate the role played by Apulian emigrants associations in the world, as they undoubtedly represent people who want to safeguard the identity of their worldwide fellow countrymen communities. Further aims: building and/or consolidating collaboration and exchange networks between Apulian associations abroad and Apulian tourist operators and various public administrations that should be well guided by Apulia Region; increasing the effectiveness of the tourist promotion of Apulia abroad, by adopting a coordinated marketing strategy aimed at stimulating and satisfying the ever-increasing demand for “identity research” of Apulian people worldwide. The qualitative research is carried out through in-depth interviews with the presidents of Apulian emigrants’ associations in Italy, in Europe or in non-European countries. Respondents were identified using a convenience sampling methodology. The collected results were elaborated through a thematic content analysis and four main themes were identified.