Promoting Cultural tourism in Europe
EUROPEAN CULTURAL ROUTES AS A DRIVER
FOR A SMART TERRITORIAL GROWTH
Brussels, 16th of June 2016
Emilia-Romagna Region - Rue Montoyer 21, 1000
Since the launch of the Program by the Council of Europe in 1987, European Cultural Routes have
proven to be an important tool to foster intercultural dialogue, presenting Europe as a destination ,
while generating business.
European Cultural Routes are strongly rooted in local economies, skills and societies. They promote
lesser-known destinations and contribute to sustainable territorial development. They can bring a
significant contribution to cultural tourism and territorial growth of European regions and cities,
promoting at the same time a shared European cultural heritage.
Policies and programmes in support of the European Cultural Routes have therefore been adopted
at European, national and regional level. In particular, the European Union and the Council of Europe
are sustaining the sector through Joint Programs and call for proposals with the aim to further
develop physical or virtual routes with a European dimension based on cultural heritage.
Despite the general awareness about the relevance of this tool to support cultural tourism and
territorial development , there is an opportunity to further exploit the potential of the European
cultural routes.
This conference brings together representatives from the European Institutions, policy makers and
representatives from European cultural routes. The aim is to discuss the state of play of the
European strategies, while highlighting needs and opportunities for the European cultural routes.
Finally this conference will also offer the possibility to exchange experiences to further promote an
innovative and sustainable growth while supporting European cultural heritage.
AGENDA
Working Language: English
9h00
Registration
9h30
Welcome and introduction
- Lorenza Badiello, Head of the EU office, Emilia-Romagna Region
09h35
The Emilia-Romagna perspective
- Andrea Corsini, Minister for Tourism Emilia-Romagna Region
09h45
Keynote speeches
- Arne Lietz, MEP, Vicepresident Intergroup “European Tourism Development, Cultural Heritage,
Ways of St. James and other European Cultural Routes”
- Claudia Tapardel, MEP , Co-Chair Intergroup “European Tourism Development, Cultural
Heritage, Ways of St. James and other European Cultural Routes” (Video message)
- Fabrizio Colaceci, Culture, Education, Vocational Training and Youth, European Schools, Sport
Coordinator, Permanent Representation of Italy to the EU
10h30
Setting the context
Chair - Camila de Epalza Azqueta, Policy Officer Delegation of the Basque Country to the EU, RICC
Regional Initiative for Culture and Creativity
- Giuliana De Francesco, Representative of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of
the Council of Europe, Member of the Governing Board
- Cristina Nunez, Coordinator, NECSTouR
- Dimitris Androutsos, Working Group Tourism, ERRIN
11h00
Panel discussion
Chair - Camila de Epalza Azqueta, Policy Officer Delegation of the Basque Country to the EU, RICC
Regional Initiative for Culture and Creativity
-
Velia Coffey, Vice-President, European Association of the Via Francigena, Canterbury City
Council
Miguel A. Martin Ramos, Head of European Affairs and Brussels Delegation, Fundacion
Academia Europea de Yuste & European Cultural Routes of Charles V
Victoria van Krieken, Director, Liberation Route
11h45
Q&A
12h00
Conclusions
- Carlo Corazza, Head of Unit, DG GROW Unit F 4 – Tourism, Textile, Emerging and Creative
Industries, European Commission
12h30
End of the seminar