Castelli del Ducato: Social Report confirms €52 million economic impact

Castelli del Ducato: Social Report confirms €52 million economic impact

The Social Report produced by the non-profit Castelli del Ducato association presents the network's 2024 impact across castles and historic sites in Parma, Piacenza, Guastalla and Pontremoli. The second such report in the association's history highlights economic, cultural and social outcomes that underline the circuit's strategic value for the territory.

Prepared with the consultancy Sistema Susio srl, the document shows how coordinated cultural tourism generates significant benefits for local sectors, from hospitality and dining to cultural services.

• Visitors 2024: about 660,000
• Overnight stays: more than 28,000
• Weddings hosted: over 200
• Estimated economic impact: ~€52 million (based on regional average cultural tourism spending)
• Events: over 1,000 initiatives across the network
• Conferences: more than 600 with around 7,000 participants
• Educational activities: over 200 actions involving 42,000 students
• Association structure: 37 castles and historic sites as members; founded in 1999

President Orazio Zanardi Landi and director Maurizio Pavesi stress that the Social Report is intended not only as accountability but as a strategic tool to share vision with members, institutions and potential stakeholders. The report also documents alignment with sustainability goals (UN Agenda 2030) and practical measures on accessibility, slow tourism and sustainable mobility.

The integrated management model is nationally recognized (including by the Touring Club Italiano) and has inspired broader initiatives such as the Castelli Emilia-Romagna portal. The Castelli del Ducato website has also shown increased visibility in spring 2026 compared with 2025.