BEYOND CULTURAL TOURISM

Cultural tourism entails opportunities but also risks. If not managed properly, cultural tourism can easily turn into a “value extractive” industry, generating negative environmental, social and cultural impacts on local communities and ecosystems. To this scope, the Be.CULTOUR project has worked for over three years to co-create and test sustainable human-centred innovations for circular cultural tourism through collaborative innovation networks/methodologies and improved investments strategies. 

Targeting deprived, remote, peripheral or deindustrialised areas and cultural landscapes as well as over-exploited areas, local Heritage innovation networks have co-develop a long-term heritage-led development project in the areas involved enhancing inclusive economic growth, communities’ wellbeing and resilience, nature regeneration as well as effective cooperation at cross-border, regional and local level. 

Be.CULTOUR aligns closely with ERRIN's priorities by advancing sustainable, human-centered innovations in cultural tourism through collaborative methodologies and strategic investments. The project specifically targeted areas that are deprived, remote, peripheral, deindustrialised, or over-exploited, making it highly relevant for ERRIN members interested in regional development, sustainability, and cultural heritage. By connecting with ERRIN’s Cultural Heritage & Tourism working group, the project offered members opportunities to engage in innovative practices that enhance economic growth, community well-being, and environmental resilience. This alignment ensured that the project contributes meaningfully to the shared objectives of ERRIN and its members.