Cultural Tourism Diversity of Built

HeritagePicture Final Conference

Luxemburg

21 –23 September 2006

Brian Smith

Secretary General

Background to EAHTR

• EAHTR formed in Strasbourg By Council of Europe in October 1999

• Represents approx 950 historic towns and cities– 12 International, National,

Regional Associations and individual cities

• Aim– To promote the interests of

Europe's historic towns and regions

• Objectives– International co-operation in urban

conservation and cultural heritage – Share experience and good practice

– Promote vitality viability, and sustainability of historic towns

• Activities– Newsletter & Web Site

• www.historic-towns.org

– European Commission projects • INHERIT, EPOCH, CULT-STRAT

– Conferences• Dubrovnik Symposium

– Cultural Tourism – Economic Benefit or Loss of Identity 27th –29 September 2006

Cultural Tourism & Diversity of Built Heritage

• Cultural Tourism– Expanding market

• International -1.6B –local higher• Europe lower internationally

– Important to define broadly• ‘Way of Life’ of people or region not

only built heritage

– Inherent conflicts + social & economic advantages

• Impacts need to be understood and managed

• Role of local authority crucial• Balanced approach based on

International Charter ‘principles’ UN WTO &UNESCO

• Diversity of Built Heritage – Historic cities developing

strategies that promote positive diversification

– Expanding definition of historic core – using visitor management techniques of interpretation & signing

– Converting historic buildings to new uses to diversify visitor experience

– Promoting industrial heritage & exploring recent past as source of inspiration

– Need to understand identity & value of whole place

• Integrated approach– International & National

levels– Regional -Economic and

Spatial strategies e.g. Andalucia promoting Granada not Ubeda

– City - effective governance & co-ordination – leadership, strategy and management

Gdansk

Verona

Castel San Pietro - Verona

Castel San Pietro

• San Pietro Hill– Sacred by Romans 1st C BC– Centre of City Life from

Mediaeval times

• Theatre uncovered early 20C –Austrian Barracks demilitarised

• Objective to revitalise recover urban identities underlying Verona

• Create multi centre city

CULTURAL DIVERSITY

INDENTITY PROSPERITY

THREATS & OPPORTUNITIES

CULTURAL STRATEGIES

& TOOLS

CASE STUDIES & DISSEMINATION

KEY TO SUSTAINABLITY

Conclusions

• Importance of defining cultural tourism broadly

• Promoting a balanced sustainable approach based on the principles set out in the adopted International Charters

• Understanding Identity and need for diversity important –acting on it requires: Integrated Approach at all levels

• Understand and value the whole place not just the tourist icons –its identity, local distinctiveness and sense of place

• Unique qualities of historic environments have an importance to local communities over and above their value as a tourist destination

• Need for effective tools and case study good practice – learn lessons

• More work needed on the underlying processes that produce effective action on the ground

• Dissemination important

• EAHTR uniquely placed to help dissemination– E.g. Dubrovnik Declaration