SUSTAINABLE HEALTH AND WELLNESS TOURISM IN THE ALPS: A DIALOGUE BETWEEN NATURE AND PSYCHOLOGY

The contribution aims at proposing a reflection on natural areas as contexts for new approaches of living, reconnected with nature and its rhythms, experiencing wellbeing, health and sustainability practices that can result in new tourism and local development possibilities. An interesting framework that put in connection tourism and psychology has emerged in the context of the actions and results of the European Interreg Alpine Space project Healps2 Healing Alps. Within this frame, in Italy an experimental activity was conducted by the Protected Areas Management Authority in the high Ossola valleys, in Piedmont Region.