Innovative approaches to urban and regional development through cultural tourism

(2019)

The various forms of cultural tourism in Europe are important drivers of growth, jobs and economic development of European regions and urban areas. They also contribute, by driving intercultural understanding and social development in Europe through discovering various types of cultural heritage, to the understanding of other peoples' identities and values. However, although cultural tourism by its nature invites cross border regional and local cooperation, its full innovation potential in this respect is not yet fully explored and exploited. The level of development of cultural tourism between certain regions and sites is still unbalanced, with deprived remote, peripheral or deindustrialised areas lagging behind whereas high demand areas being overexploited in an unsustainable manner. There is also a significant knowledge gap in terms of availability of both quantitative and qualitative data on the phenomenon of cultural heritage tourism and on understanding its contribution towards cultural Europeanisation and economic and social development in Europe.

(2020)

The various forms of cultural tourism in Europe are important drivers of growth, jobs and economic development of European regions and urban areas. They also contribute, to the understanding of other peoples' identities and values by driving intercultural understanding and social development in Europe through discovering various types of cultural heritage. However, although cultural tourism by its nature invites cross border, regional and local cooperation, its full innovation potential in this respect is not yet fully explored and exploited. The level of development of cultural tourism between certain regions and sites, including those between the neighbouring countries in Europe, is still unbalanced. Deprived remote, peripheral or deindustrialized areas lag behind, whereas high demand areas are over-exploited in an unsustainable manner. There is also a significant knowledge gap in terms of quantitative and qualitative data on the phenomenon of cultural heritage tourism and on understanding its contribution to cultural Europeanisation and economic and social development in Europe.

Scope

Research and Innovation action (2019)

Proposals should comparatively assess how the presence, development, decline or absence of cultural tourism has affected the development of European regions and urban areas. They should investigate motives for cultural tourism and assess the effectiveness and sustainability of multilevel strategies, policies, trends and practices in attracting, managing and diversifying cultural tourism in Europe in view of identifying best practices that should be communicated to policymakers and practitioners. This should include considerations of specific strategies to promote cultural tourism at a regional, national and European level, including use of structural investment funds where appropriate. Minority cultures and regions as well as urban areas currently less attractive to cultural tourism should receive special attention. Historical perspectives, as well as comparison with lessons learned at international level on the emergence of particular forms of cultural tourism or reasons for cultural tourism in particular areas should also be investigated. Innovative methods and techniques, including statistical tools and indicators, for measuring and assessing various practices and impacts of cultural tourism should be developed and tested. Proposals should also deploy place-based and participatory approaches to investigate the relation between intra-European cultural tourism and Europeanisation and whether it impacts identities and belonging.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the order of EUR 3 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Innovation action (2020)

Through exploring possibilities of cultural tourism in Europe’s natural and cultural sites, including those with an industrial heritage, the proposals should propose innovative strategies and pilot solutions for successful and sustainable cross border, regional and local cooperation in cultural tourism, including those for management, training and services. Various options of the use of the EU Structural Investment Funds should be explored. Minority cultures and regions as well as urban areas currently less attractive to cultural tourism should receive special attention in proposed strategies and pilot activities. Further on, proposals should include place-based and participatory approaches to investigate relations between intra-European cultural tourism and Europeanisation and their impacts on identities and sense of belonging. Strategies for cross border cooperation might look beyond EU Member States and Associated Countries and could preferably include partnerships between EU and non-EU countries of the Balkans, the Eastern neighbourhood or the Mediterranean. Proposed solutions should be developed and tested in wide and diversified partnerships of stakeholders. These might include, but not being limited to, entrepreneurs in the tourism industry, SMEs, regional and local governments and municipalities, institutions and organizations representing citizens living in the affected areas. Furthermore, it should cover emerging European networks of heritage sites like the European Heritage Label sites or European cultural routes. Innovative statistical methods, tools and indicators as well as qualitative concepts for measuring and understanding the various impacts of cultural tourism should also be developed and tested.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the order of EUR 4 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected Impact

(2019)

The action will improve policies and practices on cultural tourism at various levels. It will also provide strategic guidance at European level concerning the efficient use of European Structural Investment Funds. In addition, it will contribute to the establishment of partnerships between public and private stakeholders in this area. Creation of innovative quantitative/statistical as well as qualitative tools and methods will improve available data on and understanding of the impact of cultural tourism on European economic and social development and on cultural Europeanisation.

(2020)

The action will contribute to improvements in sustainable cultural tourism policies and practices, at various levels, as well as to further progress in growth, jobs, social and economic development of European regions, and in urban and rural areas. It will provide strategic guidance at European level concerning the efficient use of European Structural Investment Funds in this field. It will contribute to the establishment of partnerships between public and private stakeholders, including citizens at large, and will provide strategies and training tools for cooperation in the area of sustainable cultural tourism. Creation of innovative quantitative/statistical as well as qualitative tools and methods will improve available data on and understanding of the impact of cultural tourism on European economic and social development and on cultural Europeanisation.

Cross-cutting Priorities

Socio-economic science and humanities
Open Innovation
Socio-economic science and humanities