The GMT Halaesa-Nebrodi: Ten Months On – Let's Take Stock-Sicily
Vision and sharing are the core principles of the Halaesa-Nebrodi tourism development project
Riccardo Zingone 26/10/2024 0
The Instagram and Facebook pages of GMT Halaesa-Nebrodi are growing steadily, a sign of continued interest in this pioneering territorial tourism development project. Its aim is to transform our area, our municipalities, and our people into a tourism destination.
Encouraging Data and Organic Growth
In parallel, very encouraging data is coming from the halaesanebrodi.it website, both in terms of access numbers and national and international distribution. I'd like to emphasize that these figures haven't been influenced by specific promotional campaigns, which are still planned. Instead, they are purely the result of spontaneous access, fueled by word-of-mouth and the quality and quantity of the published content.
Thanks to the meticulous work of promoting operators, events of tourist interest proposed by the municipalities, and highlighting our "ambassadors" – people who share our territory's story in Italy and worldwide – our website, with 35,000 accesses recorded in just a few months, has become the main showcase for Halaesa-Nebrodi's vitality.
Key Dates
I'd like to highlight some key dates:
- January 26, 2024: Project presentation in Mistretta during the conference "The Culture of Hospitality in Inland Areas."
- April 29, 2024: Presentation of the website and initial operators in Castel di Tusa.
- May 21, 2024: Project presentation to local Proloco associations in Motta d'Affermo.
- September 21, 2024: Presentation of the Action Plan to the Mayors of the territory in Castel di Lucio, along with the first numerical and statistical data from the halaesanebrodi.it website.
The Path Forward: Vision, Sharing, and Perseverance
Over these ten months, we've launched and developed an innovative, exciting, forward-thinking, yet complex and challenging journey. After all, presenting oneself as a tourism destination is no simple matter: it requires vision and sharing, professionalism and perseverance, trust and patience, humility and courage. And love for one's territory and community.
Andrea Succi often says that the Culture of Hospitality doesn't equate to tourism, but it is its prerequisite. Therefore, it becomes crucial for each of us—whether an economic operator or a mayor—to change our approach to the world of tourism.
It's clear that our territory, our people, our tangible and intangible assets, and our culture deserve a chance for tourist, and thus economic, regeneration. This needs to come through a proposal that is relevant to our times, looks towards national and international markets, and is professionally structured and governed. These are topics that have been discussed for years, and now we can make them happen, but we must do it together.
The challenge is to replace the adversative conjunction "but" with the simpler and more reassuring copulative conjunction "and." This is neither easy nor guaranteed. The same goes for the adverb "together."
How You Can Contribute
- To those who patiently read to the end: I ask you to contribute to the project's growth, even through simply subscribing to the social media channels where GMT Halaesa-Nebrodi is present and sharing its content.
- To existing operators: I want to convey a message full of confidence and enthusiasm to continue; we are on the right path.
- To other operators reading this who want to learn more about the project: Please contact us, because the doors of GMT are and will continue to be always open.
- To administrators: Please continue to watch us, follow us, and support us with the same enthusiasm I've seen in your eyes and attitudes over these past ten months.
🔗 Right synergies always lead to beautiful things.
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Riccardo Zingone 16/08/2025
Mario Biffarella and Remembrances five years after his passing
I believe Mario had an absolute blast last night. He, who always maintained that the dead never truly die but observe us from the afterlife, from another dimension, I saw him sitting on the steps of his house, on a small street near the Church of Santa Caterina in Mistretta. He was watching, watching us, and watching himself.
His clever, deep, and gentle gaze, curious like the goblins he loved to paint, rested on the faces of those who, five years after his passing, had decided to accept the invitation from family and friends to attend a cool August evening dedicated not to his commemoration, but to his memory.
He had a blast, as I said. I noticed it when he was in stitches, listening to the words of his close friend, Tatà. Growing up with a person, sharing their battles, passions, bold and unconventional choices, their successes and failures, is the fertile ground where a sincere, deep, and timeless friendship germinates, grows, and matures. This is why Tatà, in talking about Mario, couldn't help but talk about himself. And vice versa. Mario, sitting on those steps, laughed and Tatà smiled, between one anecdote and another, as he spoke to us about Mario the boy, Mario the artist, Mario the philosopher, Mario the politician, Mario the "communist," Mario the writer, Mario the man.
At a certain point, however, Mario's amused expression changed, becoming more introspective. The scene was changing, and Mario was changing too. His son Alvaro took up his guitar, adjusted the microphone, and, along with Valentina, began to sing the first notes of "La canzone di Marinella," by that De André whom Mario, so long ago, had introduced to his own son.
Mario had sung De André over and over at home, during get-togethers, maybe even with his group, Gli Elfi, but now, hearing it sung by Alvaro, it moved him and, at the same time, pleased him. "Alvaro is really good," he thought to himself, as the magic of the music spread along the narrow street crowded with people. Then I saw him go down the stairs and play the last verse along with them:
"This is your song, Marinella Who flew to the sky on a star And like all the most beautiful things You lived only for a day, like the roses And like all the most beautiful things You lived only for a day, like the roses."
While Alvaro and Valentina continued their musical performance, Mario, Liria, and Ferruccio led us up the stairs into what is now a small museum. It holds paintings, sketches, writings, and various documents produced by Mario during his long artistic life, carefully preserved by his family in that treasure trove of material and immaterial culture that Tatà would like to turn into a Foundation. It is the studio-workshop where Mario unleashed his exceptional artistic sensibility, his ironic, sarcastic, irreverent, bold, and fascinating, yet also gentle, brush. The colors, the painted figures with their almost photographic appearance, the symbols and symbolisms, the gnomes, toads, open books, and faces have always struck me.
The Rimembranze exhibition will also be open today, August 16th, from 7:00 PM onwards. If you look closely, Mario will still be there watching, watching us, watching himself.
For more information:
Halaesa Nebrodi 23/06/2025
Castel di Lucio remembers its origins with Medievalia
The event, which will be held on June 29th in Castel di Lucio, is organized by the Cultural Associations BCsicilia and Il Filo di Arianna, as partners for the implementation of the "Attractiveness of Historic Villages" intervention. This initiative falls within the framework of cultural and social regeneration of small historic villages, and is funded under the PNRR by the European Union – NextGenerationEU. The overall intervention, which will simultaneously involve three municipalities, is called "COAST AND ALESINE VALLEYS: AN ITINERARY TO REDISCOVER THE VILLAGES OF CASTEL DI LUCIO, MOTTA D'AFFERMO, AND PETTINEO."
The event is configured as a medieval-themed day, structured in various entertainment phases. The program includes a historical re-enactment focused on the Ventimiglia era, with a costumed procession winding through the historic center of Castel di Lucio, culminating at the ruins of the Ventimigliano Castle.
Concurrently with the event, the traditional "Sagra de Favi Squadati" (Festival of Broad Beans), organized by Pro Loco Castel di Lucio, will take place, integrated into the medieval thematic context of the event.
Here is the program for MEDIEVALIA Historical Re-enactment JUNE 29, 2025 CASTEL DI LUCIO (ME)
5:00 PM - PIAZZA UMBERTO I
- Opening of the medieval village
- Archery camp
- Snake exhibition
- Birds of prey exhibition with flight demonstrations
- Entry of flag-wavers and musicians from the city of Caccamo, medieval musicians for the village by the Magma group.
- Exhibition of artisan works and display
6:00 PM - PIAZZA UMBERTO I
- Archery tournament
6:30 PM - VIA GARIBALDI
- Start of the parade with the historical procession of the Ventimiglia, flag-wavers, archers, and musicians, passing through Porta della Terra
VIA ROMA
- Medieval fire show
CASTLE SQUARE
- Flag-wavers show
- Historical Re-enactment
8:30 PM - VIA DANTE
- "Favi Squadati" tasting by Pro Loco
9:30 PM - CASTLE SQUARE
- Medieval juggling by the Magma group
Riccardo Zingone 16/01/2026
People of Halaesa Nebrodi: Chiara Dimaggio and her Domus Immobiliare Real estate Sicilia
People of Halaesa Nebrodi: Chiara Dimaggio and her Domus Immobiliare
Face to face with Chiara Dimaggio, a young and brilliant real estate agent operating in the territory of Halaesa Nebrodi.
Through her agency, Domus Immobiliare, she is fulfilling her lifelong dream: making the people she meets happy by sharing her contagious smile with them. One of her slogans says: "Life takes you to unexpected places, Love brings you Home," and Chiara, interpreting this mission with exceptional enthusiasm, has found homes for many people — both Italian and foreign — to whom, above all else, she introduced the territory, its soul, and the people who live there, adding extraordinary value to her delicate and vital work.
Chiara, what is a real estate agent doing in a local tourism marketing group?
At first glance, the role of a real estate agent within a tourism-oriented territorial marketing group might seem distant. In reality, it is not at all. The presence of a real estate agent in a territorial marketing group is not a mere formality: it is an added value. I am firmly convinced that when a town grows, all the businesses connected to it grow as well.
The core objective of GMT™ Halaesa Nebrodi is the promotion of the Halaesa Valley territory, and on this front, the group is doing an excellent job. Such extensive promotion can only bring benefits to a business like mine, which for years has invested time, energy, and passion into enhancing the value of the territory.
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Yours is a young journey, yet rich with experience in the real estate sector.
My business is young, just as I am. I opened my real estate agency at only 22 years old. I remember with pleasure what pushed me to embark on this adventure. I was preparing my last three subjects for my bachelor's degree when, in a moment of high stress, I decided to change direction. It was thanks to a reflection shared by my father that I chose to attend the real estate agent course.
From there, a world opened up: my world. I became licensed for the profession, earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Relations, and subsequently a master's degree in Public Administration. Today, those degrees are hanging on the wall, because the passion for my work took over and grows day by day. If I am who I am today, I owe it to the professionalism and dedication with which I perform this job. For almost 11 years, I have been making people's dreams come true, and I hope to continue doing so for many years to come.
What role do you play in GMT Halaesa Nebrodi: can you give an assessment and what are the future prospects?
I immediately embraced the GMT™ Halaesa Nebrodi project and the ideas of its creator, Andrea Succi. From the very first meeting, I was struck by his spirit, his determination, and his desire to provide a concrete contribution.
The GMT™ operates in a territory that unfortunately has experienced significant depopulation and economic regression in recent years. However, the group is made up of young entrepreneurs and professionals who deeply believe in the potential of the place where they live. In these two years, through the launch of the website, participation in the recent BTE in Palermo, constant social media promotion, and the creation of travel packages, the GMT™ has helped to make the territory known and achieve its main goal: to grow and improve the entire Nebro-Alesino district.
Will we succeed? Yes, I am certain of it. Can we do more? Absolutely. We can and must always improve, but we have all the skills to do it.
Social media and real estate: putting your face out there pays off.
The growth of my business has been strongly influenced by a constant and effective presence on social media. I say it and I will always repeat it: today, social media is decisive for the growth and image of a business. Once, newspapers were used; today everything passes through social networks, and I have fully embraced this change.
Through videos, I tell the story of the properties, but often also the stories of those who lived in them. I talk about the territory, with particular attention to Tusa, my grandparents' village, the place of my childhood and my heart. Thanks to this work — and I take credit for it — real estate transactions in the municipality of Tusa have increased exponentially, and today the village is known internationally. Putting your face out there is fundamental: people want to know who they are trusting. A logo creates distance; I, instead, build relationships based on trust, friendship, and respect.
What do you expect from the territory and what can be improved?
One of my greatest desires is to see the small villages flourish again. I imagine towns full of life, people, businesses, and lively venues. I wish that even those who live there daily would take an extra step to promote, beautify, and enhance them. I hope that local administrations can intervene with small improvements that, over time, could make a big difference.
I am very confident and, above all, proactive. Who knows, maybe our group, by joining forces, will manage to take giant leaps and surprise the territory around us. I invite anyone who wants to contribute to the growth of the territory to join the Territorial Marketing Group: together we can do great things.