Project CHARTS for Tourism Sustainability
On the 22 - 23 March, 2012 was 1st Inter-Regional Steering Committee Meeting of project
CHARTS (Culture & Heritage Added-value to Regional policies for Tourism Sustainability) in Argalasti, South Pelion Municipality, Greece 
In this meeting met representatives of 13 project partners from 10 EU countries: Municipality of South Pelion (Lead Partner, Greece), Welsh Assembly Government (UK), ECTN Network (Belgium), Midland Regional Authority (Ireland), Region Västra Götaland (Sweden), Pafos Regional Board of Tourism (Cyprus), Veneto Region – Tourism Department (Italy), Vidzeme Tourism Association (Latvia), National Institute for Research and Development in Tourism (Romania), Mallorca Council - Environment Department (Spain), Union of South-East Region Local Authorities (Bulgaria), Greek National Tourism Organisation and University of Barcelona - IBERTUR (Network of heritage, tourism and sustainable development, Spain).
During this meeting, each Partner presented their counties, regions and institutions and/or organizations they represent and examples of Good Practices in accordance with each project partner`s themes in the project. As Good Practice, Vidzeme Tourism Association presented “Enhanced Information to Visitors” in Vidzeme region through Tourism Information Centres (TIC), tourism objects, tourist attractions, accommodation, public catering, petrol stations, taxi, billboards, advertisements, Internet etc., by providing information through the mutual cooperation between regional governments and private enterprises using modern technologies and new media tools. In the end of work sessions project partners participated in organised tours in South Pelion where was visited the most important cultural sites with showing Greek culture and hospitality.
Project CHARTS is INTERREG IVC programme Regional Initiative Project under Priority 2 “Environment and risk prevention”, sub-theme “Cultural Heritage and landscape”, duration from Jan, 2012 – June, 2014.
CHARTS focuses on the role of culture and heritage in the formulation and delivery of added-value to regional strategies for sustainable tourism development and integration into local, regional, national and EU policies. Partners will share experience on how improved management of cultural tourism destinations contribute to protection and enhancement of cultural heritage & landscape, as well as sustainable regional development policies, especially in relation to challenges of climate change and the economic crisis.
CHARTS overall objective is to build on, capitalise and exploit the outputs, methods, results, policies and strategies of previous projects and initiatives in the field of culture, heritage and sustainable tourism development strategies and to transfer highly relevant Good Practices between participating regions and Europe-wide, as important added-value to effective regional policy formulation and implementation, as well as contributing to the Lisbon & Gothenburg Agendas.
Main CHARTS activities includes identification, analysis, exchange & transfer of Good Practices on climate change, accessibility to heritage, effective partnerships, host communities, quality criteria, visitor information, place marketing and cultural routes for sustainable tourism, policy integration & added value, Charter, award, events, exhibitions, workshops and conference.
CHARTS expected outputs and results are enhanced regional policies on Culture, Heritage & Sustainable Tourism; added-value to past and existing initiatives; increased knowledge in less developed regions of the EU (inc. new MS); creation of opportunities for employment in the Cultural and Tourism industries; protection and preservation of culture and heritage sites and landscapes; protection and preservation of the environment through the introduction and promotion of sustainable tourism strategies (Responsible Tourism) and better use of EU funds in the mainstream operational programmes with already proven successful best practices and policies.
In CHARTS activities (training courses, workshops, staff exchange, study visit, conference) within 2 years Vidzeme Tourism Association will engage Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences and regional municipalities – Carnikava, Saulkrasti, Limbaţi, Aloja, Valka, Rauna, Vecpiebalga, Gulbene. Çrgďi un Ape. They will be given an advantage to choose the most topical subject with certain time and place.
The first project CHARTS activity - study of best practices associated to European cultural routes, benmarking strategies, indicators, capacity-building, training and applied research will take place at the University of Barcelona from 20 – 22 June, 2012, Spain with the participation of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences and Carnikava municipality.
This project is funded by the EU’s European Regional Development fund through the INTERREG IVC programme.
Contacts:
Ieva Treija
Vidzeme Tourism Association
Project CHARTS, PR specialist
Tel: +371 29618781
Email: ievat@hotmail.com
CHARTS partners:
Municipality of South Pelion www.argalasti.gr
Welsh Assembly Government www.wales.gov.uk
ECTN Network www.ectn.eu.com
Midland Regional Authority www.midlands.ie
Region Västra Götaland www.vgregion.se
Pafos Regional Board of Tourism www.visitpafos.org.cy
Veneto Region – Tourism Department www.veneto.to
Vidzeme Tourism Association www.vidzeme.com
National Institute for Research and Development in Tourism (NIRDT) www.incdt.ro
Mallorca Council - Environment Department www.conselldemallorca.net
Union of South-East Region Local Authorities, Bulgaria userla.office@gmail.com
Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) http://www.visitgreece.gr/portal/site/eot/
IBERTUR Network/University of Barcelona www.gestioncultural.org/ibertur
April, 2012 |
