Sicily Tour and "Addiopizzo"

Apparently, Addiopizzo Palermo and Addiopizzo Catania have lists. Check Addiopizzo Travel.

Just curious, what do you plan to do if some tour hotels/restaurants are not on the list?

I am concerned first of all that the tour company checks this out for anything that is part of the "official" activities. When I am on my own time I would prefer to look for the Addiopizzo sign, but I know that it is not possible to be sure. I have just been so humbled by reading of the bravery of those who have stood up against the corruption that I thought it was just a small thing I could do when choosing where to have my dinner, or buy that souvenir.

Good for you for supporting this anti-mafia tool for travel within Sicily. The more people do this, the more businesses will feel they can sign up for it.

I think you will have more luck finding places for your free time. I don't think many tour companies follow the money trail, no matter how ethical they are. You might check the website and send a message of support, as well.

I was hoping that Rick Steves tours might do so .......

I have no idea if RS tours checks these things or not. Perhaps you could email them and find out?

I also had not heard of this movement, so thank you for helping me learn about something new!

Yes I will email them but I thought they might monitor these forums for any mentions of their own company.

I have sent an email to RS so will report on their response.

Hi, Josephine. Yes, I did "spy" your question yesterday but don't know the answer. The tour department now has your email. Frankly, while I would expect most of our vendors to support the movement, I'd be less hopeful about them taking the time to obtain certification.

Thank you for passing on my enquiry - I have also sent an email to RS. I think pressure from tour companies could provide an incentive and support for businesses to join the Addiopizzo movement . Somehow "not taking the time" would not seem an adequate response. It would also be a positive point of difference for RS tours.

Josephine, the Sicily tour is great and I hope you don't back out if all businesses connected with the tour don't display an Addiopizzo sticker. Keep in mind that this movement is relatively new compared to the length of time Mafia influence has been in Sicily, and I suspect not all towns and businesses have been equaly impacted. While I get the impression there's wide-spead anti-Mafia support in Sicily, I suspect some businesses might not display a sticker simply because it's not been a problem for them. Why provoke a sleeping dragon?

Not sure the dragon is sleeping - see article in The Guardian 22 May 2017. It takes enormous bravery for local people and businesses to stand against the Mafia - tourists and tour companies can do their little bit to support them. ("The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" ). If customers ask for this, then companies may take action, but if we are all ostriches, then nothing changes.

I have received a promising response from the RS Europe rep - I had commented that "Commercial pressure is a powerful tool that can be used for good. For locals to take a stand requires great bravery that I am humbled by - supporting them takes only a very small effort from us. I hope that the Rick Steves organization can be pro-active with this", to which she has responded: " It’s always been Rick’s desire to operate in such a way that supports the community we are visiting as much as possible, not just monetarily, but in a way that helps organic growth in the long term. I can’t think of a more worthy cause than this." So hopefully this can have some positive effect.