ReInHerit/Cultural-tourism

ECTN welcomes the 'Transition Pathway for Tourism' * which has great synergies with ReInHerit CSA

The aim of this report is to describe the measures and outputs needed to accelerate the green and digital transitions and improve the resilience of the tourism ecosystem. The objective is to encourage and invite all groups and stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem to engage and play their part in the initiative. The work to prepare the pathway has followed a collaborative approach involving all stakeholder groups. Similar active and productive collaboration should support also the way forward. Following the publication of this report, the Commission will invite tourism stakeholders to present their commitments to the transition pathway for tourism, and it will establish collaboration processes for the co-implementation and monitoring of the work. The follow-up of the transition pathway will be facilitated by an online stakeholder collaboration platform. The report includes several references in relation to cultural heritage tourism.

​In particular, ECTN welcomes the several and highly relevant references on:

• cultural heritage and the potential to give customers unique and authentic experiences
• cultural and creative industries in their key role in the tourism ecosystem
• innovative tourism based on cultural heritage, traditions, arts and authentic cultural experiences
• cultural and active tourism experiences for visitors
• virtual and augmented reality services provide new ways to help preserve natural and cultural resources at risk, while enabling real-like visitor experiences
• linking with the objectives of European data space for cultural heritage to digitise cultural heritage assets, R&I in this area could provide new innovative, sustainable and accessible forms of tourism services
• innovative tourism services using advanced technologies (virtual reality, augmented reality, AI) and digitized cultural heritage
• use of cultural centres such as museums, theatres, libraries and archaeological sites, together with the integration of European and regional tourism policies, UNESCO sites, archaeological, marine and natural parks, villages and spa tourism, will be fundamental to increase the attractiveness of tourism
• develop and implement smart and sustainable tourism strategies at the right level in order to emphasise local identity specialities by encouraging the promotion and quality craftsmanship, especially for regions that highlight their gastronomy, local knowledge and traditions.

The above will be included in the updated ECTN Charter for Sustainable Cultural Tourism, as well as in the contribution by ECTN on cultural heritage management guidelines, in the framework of the ReInHerit Horizon2020 Coordination and Support Action (CSA).

(*) European Commission, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Transition pathway for tourism, 2022,
https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2873/344425