In Stolberg/Harz, the only town in Germany whose entire historic center is protected as a heritage site, the association Fachwerkstadt Stolberg (er)leben e.V. sees the Albergo Diffuso concept as a promising opportunity to address challenges such as labor shortages, population decline, and vacant buildings. The association brings together local stakeholders from the hospitality, tourism, and visitor infrastructure sectors who are seeking innovative approaches to sustainable tourism development.
Through Pro Harz Tourismus und Marketing GmbH, interested member companies approached the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Saxony-Anhalt and requested support in establishing contacts with tourism businesses that have already successfully implemented the Albergo Diffuso concept. It quickly became clear that transferring the model to Stolberg would raise numerous questions, ranging from legal requirements and local integration to marketing strategies. To gain first-hand insights, direct exchanges with experienced stakeholders in the concept’s country of origin were considered essential.
The EEN Saxony-Anhalt conducted extensive research on the Albergo Diffuso model and leveraged its international network to identify suitable contacts. Through the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) Magdeburg, EEN partners in Italy and Switzerland were involved. In Northern Italy, the Turin Chamber of Commerce and Unioncamere Piemonte supported the initiative. Together, they established contacts with the Piedmont regional authorities responsible for the legal framework of Albergo Diffuso, ISTUD Business School, and several tourism enterprises that have successfully implemented the concept. Exchange visits and meetings were organized with businesses such as Pernice Bianca and Agriturismo La Tensa.
At the same time, Switzerland Global Enterprise, the Swiss EEN partner, facilitated contact with the Fondazione Corippo 1975. The foundation operates an Albergo Diffuso in the village of Corippo in the canton of Ticino, the smallest village in Switzerland. As Corippo is located close to the planned Italian destinations, it provided an excellent opportunity to compare different approaches to implementing the concept.
Due to the association’s close cooperation with Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, EEN partners at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) Erfurt in Thuringia were also involved in the preparations.
The Company Mission to Italy and Switzerland ultimately took place from 15 to 19 October 2025. In addition to learning about the theoretical foundations of the concept, participants engaged directly with tourism organizations and visited businesses that have already successfully implemented the Albergo Diffuso model. The mission provided valuable insights into the organizational, legal, and economic aspects of implementation.
Following the mission, the findings were reviewed together with the Tourism Association of Saxony-Anhalt, EEN Saxony-Anhalt, and other regional stakeholders. Discussions were also held with the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt regarding potential funding opportunities. Efforts are currently underway to adapt the experiences gained in Italy and Switzerland to the local conditions in Stolberg and to define concrete implementation steps.
The Albergo Diffuso concept offers new opportunities for tourism development in the region. It can help revitalize vacant buildings, strengthen cooperation among local businesses, and generate additional value for the local economy. At the same time, regional producers, service providers, and tour guides can be integrated into a joint tourism offering. In this way, a holistic and sustainable tourism model is created that preserves the town’s identity while providing visitors with authentic experiences.
Background: Albergo Diffuso
The Albergo Diffuso concept originated in Italy and aims to revitalize historic town centers and rural areas through sustainable tourism. Instead of constructing a new hotel, existing buildings and vacant houses are transformed into a decentralized hospitality network. Guests stay in different buildings throughout a town or village, while central services such as reception, gastronomy, and guest assistance are organized collectively. This approach preserves local life, makes use of existing building stock, and integrates tourism into the community in a sustainable and authentic way.
