Linking rural tourism to agriculture. Evidences from comparative case studies in Kosovo, Italy and Spain

Rural tourism has been widely promoted in the European Union as an effective measure counteracting economic and social challenges facing rural areas especially those with declining agriculture economies. Particularly its role is seen in provision and maintenance of public goods which are more and more demanded by the public and considered in the policymaking. In Kosovo, rural tourism has been developed through the support of the international organizations and private sector initiatives, with primary aim to generate additional income for rural households and sustainable management of natural and cultural resources. Anyhow, it could be stated that the use of territorial capital to enhance the quality of the tourist offer and undertake promotion at wider circles of people has not been well explored so far, particularly possible links with agriculture that would satisfy visitors demand. In this regard this research study analyzes involvement of local stakeholders and use of territorial capital to develop tourist offer in rural areas of Kosovo. Beside, study applies comparative approach with other two areas of the European Union, Appennino Bolognese in Italy and Alpujara in Spain, to understand and compare the process of rural tourism development and demand characteristics between Kosovo and these areas. A survey has been conducted in all three study areas with rural tourism visitors to understand their preferences for public and private goods and services when visiting rural areas and the role of agriculture in sustaining rural tourism. Results show that there is a potential to link rural tourism with agriculture in Kosovo, which would help in sustaining agriculture and add additional value to local food products, which in return would enhance the tourist offer and make it more attractive for the visitors but also for the farmers as an additional revenue generating sector.

Ultra-hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for prostate cancer in 5 fractions: current evidences and our clinical experience

AIMS: The present is a retrospective evaluation of acute genito-urinary (GU) and gastro-intestinal (GI) toxicity, in addition to biochemical recurrence rate in 57 prostate cancer patients treated at our Institution with ultra-hypofractionated RT (UHRT) schedule. METHODS: From January 2021 to December 2022 we have treated 57 patients with prostate cancer, using an UHRT scheme of 5-fractions every other day for a total dose delivered of 36.25 Gy, according to the PACE-B trial treatment schedule. Good urinary function, assessed by International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), were required. The simulation CT scans were acquired in supine position and fused with MRI for CTVs definition for every patient. Each treatment was performed by Accuray's TomoTherapy with daily IGRT. The evaluation of the set-up was very restrictive before daily treatment delivery. RESULTS: According to RTOG toxicity scale, the acute GU toxicity at 3 months from RT, GU toxicity was G0 for 30 patients (52.6%), G1 for 26 (45.6%) and G2 for one only (1.75%); rectal toxicity was G0 for 56 patients (98.25%) and G1 for one only (1.75%). The median follow-up (FU) was 9 months (2-24 months). In the following FU months, we observed progressively lower urinary and rectal toxicity, except for one patient who showed G2 GU toxicity at 12 months. All but one patient had a progressive PSA value decrease. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, UHRT appears to be safe and well tolerated even without the use of rectal spacer devices. A longer FU is necessary to evaluate late toxicity and disease control rate.