Gerace, a small municipality in the Locride area, has been included among the destinations to visit by Visit Italy, a portal for the promotion and enhancement of tourism in Italy.
This is a significant recognition for Gerace in the Luminous Destinations sector, an initiative that addresses overtourism by selecting ten Italian destinations representative of a more conscious, authentic, and sustainable tourism model.
The Luminous Destinations project, as stated in a note, is part of the framework outlined by the new report from the Visit Italy Tourism Observatory, which depicts a sector that is still growing but marked by significant imbalances.
In 2025, tourist arrivals in Italy exceeded 479 million, placing the country among the top performers in Europe, but also among those with the highest level of tourism saturation.
In this context, the role of ‘lifers’ emerges—people who live in these territories daily and safeguard their identity and relationships: a central element for the quality of the tourist experience and for the long-term sustainability of these locations.
“With Luminous Destinations, we want to highlight those territories that demonstrate how tourism can generate value without compromising the identity of the places. It is not about pitting destinations against each other or offering pre-packaged alternatives, but about promoting a different approach, where the well-being of local communities becomes an integral part of the quality of the tourist experience,” explains Ruben Santopietro, CEO and founder of Visit Italy.
Italy is dotted with lesser-known territories, rich in history and traditions, which maintain a strong link with their identity; in this context, Visit Italy has selected Gerace as one of the ten Luminous Destinations 2026, recognizing its potential as a destination capable of interpreting a more conscious and sustainable tourism model.
Gerace stands on a cliff overlooking the Locride area, serving as a gateway to the wonders of Aspromonte. The choice of this village lies in its nature as a “city of stone,” where the majesty of its Norman Cathedral is not an isolated monument, but the pivot of a medieval center that has remained incredibly intact. Gerace responds perfectly to the demand for tourism that seeks truth and narrative, offering an experience where architectural heritage constantly dialogues with a wild and powerful landscape. Artisanal mastery is still alive in the workshops that dot the alleys, passing down the traditions of ceramics and weaving.