Scope:

a) 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.

b) 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.

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