Abstract

Peripheral areas are earning much attention in the academic and policy debate on regional development. The breakthrough of Italian Inner Areas represents a chance to examine this concept and the development policies, implemented in 2012, connected to them. This article aims to analyse those Italian territories, identified by the National Strategy for Inner Areas, characterised by untapped natural and human capital, hence proposing a taxonomy according to their characteristics. In particular, a cluster analysis is provided of the pilot project areas of the Strategy according to the supply side, the demand side and their type of tourism strategy as tourist destinations.