Heritage enjoyment based on potential public demand: nature and history in the Salento Aquarium (Nardò, Le)

An interdisciplinary front-end evaluation was performed in order to support the choice and theme of exhibits in the new Salento Aquarium (Nardò-Italy), in the framework of the EU Project “interdisciplinary Aquaria for the Promotion of Environment and History (A.Pr.E.H.)”. A questionnaire among 1220 potential visitors, mainly from Puglia, served to identify the interests and knowledge of various “potential publics” and to set up the exhibits in accordance with the results. The respondents confirmed that aquaria and other similar educational institutions are sites where conservation, research, and educational content need to be supplemented with cultural, social and “fun” aspects. The interviewees asked for teaching activities (especially regarding shipwrecks, environmental protection and submerged caves), but also for guided tours and a multipurpose garden. The aquarium is considered an effective enrichment of culture and tourism in the study area. The public is generally unaware of the existence of submerged wrecks along the seacoast of the Salento. The exhibits sought to respond to these suggestions and to the public’s lack of awareness about many aspects of nature and history. This paper seeks to contribute to the improvement of social and cultural cohesion, the quality of life and environmental protection by means of a socio-economic study. The aquarium’s potential for enrichment of culture and tourism will be confirmed through a subsequent “summative” evaluation