CHARTS HOLDS SEMINAR ON CULTURE AND HERITAGE INPUTS TO TOURISM SUSTAINABILITY
Project CHARTS implemented its first activity Joint Training Seminar on “Heritage and Cultural Policies and Strategies for a Sustainable Tourism Promotion and Development in European Regions” on the 21 – 22 June, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain. This two days Seminar aimed to benefit the staff of the partner regions in culture and heritage inputs to tourism sustainability regional policies and related innovations

The Joint Training Seminar was follow-up to the 1st Inter-Regional Steering Committee Meeting in Greece organized by project CHARTS Lead Partner South Pelion Municipality during 22 – 23 March, 2012 in Greece.

Seminar was opened by Magda Gassó, Departament de Cultura, Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalonia, Spain), representative from project Lead Partner Kostas Papamarkakis, Chairman of South Pelion Municipal Council (Greece), Kostas Chalevas, President of EKPOL, Delegate for European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) (Greece) and Jordi Tresserras, Universitat de Barcelona-IBERTUR/UNITWIN UNESCO Chair Culture, Tourism, Development (Catalonia, Spain) as host.

Seminar attracted project partner`s countries by experience as case-study on Place Marketing and Tourism Marketing Strategies for European Regions and the role of culture presented by Turisme de Barcelona organization and Pafos Regional Board of Tourism.

Seminar Session 2 was dedicated on Cultural and Tourism Policies and Strategies for a good governance, sustainable tourism and regional development in Europe and the Importance of International and European Cultural Labels (UNESCO, European Cultural Routs, European Heritage Labels, European Capital of Culture, EDEN). Representatives from UNESCO Mr. Peter DeBrine presented UNESCO Sustainable Tourism Programme, Immaterial Heritage List expert Mr. Luis Pablo Martines presented UNESCO strategies and opportunities for preservation and development and Mr. Jordi Tresserras introduced with UNESCO Heritage programs and funding strategies at Council of Europe and European Union.

Seminar Session 3 was concentrated on EU initiatives on sustainable and responsible tourism, Culture & Heritage Tourism impacts and synergies with CHARTS Project in accordance with Europe Commission Communication 352 ”Europe, the world's No 1 tourist destination – a new political framework for tourism in Europe”.

Seminar Session 4 was dedicated on experience exchange on good practices in Heritage and Cultural Policies and Strategies for sustainable tourism promotion and development in Europe. Under this topic project partners from Bulgaria exchanged with experience on Partnership as a key factor to integrated approach and sustainable tourism and presented case-study “Green Corridors” as promotion of cultural, natural and historical heritage in the border region of Burgas and Kirklareli project. 

Regional Strategy Director of Capital Region Tourism of Wales and project partner Mr. Peter Cole introduced participants with Finland national project Culture DQN what is about Cultural destination management process based on quality and networking in Turku, Finland. Additionally he shared experience on Climate Change and the Historic Environment of Wales and Creative Tourism as Sustainable tourism.

Representative of CHARTS Management Coordination Unit Mr. Konstantinos Petrakis shared knowledges on communal Bikes in Heritage Destinations for Sustainable Mobility and Responsible Tourism.

Representatives from Latvia presented Cultural Tourism and Heritage Protection Policies in Latvia and showed some examples of good practice from North Latvia (Vidzeme) and cycling routes in the Baltics.

Representative from Romania presented Regional Eco-Museum as Instrument for Sustainable Development. Project partner from Mallorca, Spain exchanged experience on Heritage and Sustainable tourism by showing “The Dry Stone Route” (GR-221): Recovery and restoration of dry stone heritage and traditional paths to promote hiking activities.

Representative from Russian International Academy of Tourism/UNESCO Chair in Cultural Tourism for Peace and Development shared experience with indicators of cultural tourism in Russia.

Session 5 was dedicated on Cultural and Creative Industries in Tourism Strategies where was presented experiences and networking in Creative Cities Network from UNESCO city of Gastronomy Östersund. 

During seminar participants attended urban-gastro tour „Sweet Barcelona” by spin-off project “Barcelona Gourmet Discoveries” promoted by Barcelona University and get acquainted with special Catalonian local products with Guarantee Brand presented and promoted by Catalan Institute for Cuisine and Gastronomy included in the UNESCO Immaterial Heritage List.

All seminar participants were attracted by Catalan culture tradition building Castell human tower.

For participants was organized guided walking tour Modernisme/Art Nouveau by ICONO, member of Catalan Tourism Board.

During seminar, participants discussed about challenges they face in compiling culture and heritage in Europe and exchanged views on how to encourage the use of the good practices in Regional Tourism policy / Implementation plan.

Joint Training Seminar was organized by Project Partner IBERTUR-Network of Heritage, Tourism and sustainable development/University of Barcelona in collaboration with the Catalonia government under project Component 3: Exchange of experiences dedicated to the identification and analysis of good practices.

Seminar was attended by 10 invited speakers, 52 participants of project partners regions and institutions and from 11 EU countries – Greece, Spain, Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Belgium, Italy, Cyprus, Romania, Latvia, Ireland and Sweden.

Contacts:

Ieva Treija
Vidzeme Tourism Association (Project Partner)
Project CHARTS, PR specialist
Tel: +371 29618781
Email: ievat@hotmail.com

13.07.2012