Opening Press Conference of ReInHerit Coordination & Support Action
by Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, 17 May 2021, 11:00 CET ECTN, as a partner in the Horizon 2020 ReInHerit Coordination & Support Action, invites you to join the online Opening Press Conference of the European Programme “Redefining the Future of Culture Heritage, through a disruptive model of sustainability” (ReInHerit) on 17 May 2021, at 11:00 CET via the Facebook platform of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, the project coordinator. ReInHerit aspires to disrupt the current status quo of communication, collaboration and innovation exchange between museums and cultural heritage sites, in a sense that it will connect cultural heritage collections and sites, and present Europe's tangible and intangible heritage to citizens and tourists in their wider historical and geographical contexts. ECTN is responsible for Best Practices and Study Visits. Press Release by the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, ReInHerit Coordinator 
Brussels / The Hague, 9 May 2021
EUROPA NOSTRA CALLS FOR CITIZENS DEBATES ON THE FUTURE OF EUROPE IN HERITAGE SITES On the occasion of Europe Day, Europa Nostra – in association with other 50 member organisations of the European Heritage Alliance, which celebrates this year its 10th anniversary – launches a wide call to organise during 2021 inspiring and engaging citizens debates on the future of Europe in cultural heritage sites across Europe. ECTN as a fouding member of the European Heritage Alliance ecourages its members to hols such events in relation to sustainable cultural tourism development and promotion, towards 'regenerating European tourism through culture, heritage and creativity' (the theme of the 2021 ECTN annual Conference and Awards). This grassroots initiative is a meaningful contribution both to the Conference on the Future of Europe and to the New European Bauhaus, of which Europa Nostra and some other members of the European Heritage Alliance are proud official partners. “At the time when Europe and the world are preparing their recovery from the pandemic, let us recall the powerful message released by our European Heritage Alliance, exactly one year ago, on Europe Day 2020: Europe’s shared cultural heritage is a powerful catalyst for the future of Europe. As Europe’s citizens are invited to contribute to the Conference on the Future of Europe, we wish to mobilise Europe’s vast heritage movement and community to take an active part in this citizen-driven process. Let this year’s Europe Day become a renewed call to action for us all!” conveyed Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra. Reacting to this call to action, Dubravka Šuica, Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography, shared her support for the initiative: “Europe’s democracies are built on our rich and diverse cultural heritage. Our historical and cultural sites teach us about our common history, remind us of our past dreams and aspirations, of our humanity and creativity. It is all too natural that we debate and discuss our present and future in these magical sites and shape the heritage for Europe’s generations to come.” Mariya Gabriel, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, also shared her message of endorsement: “Cultural heritage is at the heart of our EU project. It is Europe’s soul and values. It belongs to all of us and is a great source of unique and creative jobs that show the richness of Europe. I believe that Europa Nostra’s call to mobilize European citizens in inspiring debates on the future of Europe in cultural heritage sites will contribute to our EU initiatives - the Conference on the Future of Europe and the New European Bauhaus -, thus coming up with innovative solutions for building more sustainable, resilient and beautiful future together”. “For the first time, the European Institutions have launched two major initiatives largely based on the participation of citizens, namely the Conference on the Future of Europe and the New European Bauhaus. We deeply believe that heritage places, both in urban and rural areas, contribute to citizens’ wellbeing and to their sense of belonging and therefore provide ideal settings for imaginative debates on the future of Europe. We are delighted that so many eminent organisations and individuals active in the field of cultural heritage have already committed to contribute (see below),” concluded Jimmy Jamar, Head of Europa Nostra’s Brussels Office. All citizens and organisations are encouraged to organise a debate in selected heritage sites (including sites that have received a European Heritage Award or a European Heritage Label) across the European continent, while ensuring full respect of COVID-19 sanitary measures in place. In order to allow the widest participation possible, the initiative remains flexible with regards to the format, scale or duration of the debates. To maximise the impact of these debates, their outcomes will be collected and shared on the relevant platforms of the Europa Nostra Agora, the Conference on the Future of Europe and the New European Bauhaus. Interested partners can find more detailed guidelines on how to participate and submit their events via the Europa Nostra Agora digital platform. 
23 April 2021
ECTN welcomes the re-launch of the EU 'European Capital of Smart Tourism' initiative! Resulting from a preparatory action proposed by the European Parliament, completed in 2019 and 2020, the European Commission is re-launching a competition to award the title of European Capital of Smart Tourism for 2022. This initiative rewards European cities and gives them the opportunity to share their exemplary practices as smart tourism destinations. The initiative will showcase accomplishments by tourism destinations across the EU in the following areas:
The 2022 European Capital of Smart Tourism is the third edition of the competition. This initiative rewards European cities for outstanding, innovative and sustainable tourism practices. Applications will first be evaluated by a panel of independent experts. In the second step, up to seven shortlisted cities will be invited to present their city’s candidature in front of the European Jury. The European Jury will select two winners, the European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2022. The aim is to promote innovation to strengthen smart destinations in Europe, to enhance tourism offers for visitors and to facilitate new partnerships, networking and the exchange of best practice. Also aim to foster the EU’s forward-thinking tourism offer to global audiences and sustainably increase footfall at pioneering destinations that offer unique visitor experiences. ECTN welcomes and supports this excellent initiative, particularly since the areas of Sustainability, Cultural Heritage & Creativity are directly related to ECTN's role in promoting Sustainable Cultural Tourism in Europe, as well as 'Accessibility to Heritage' being a good practice already included in the ECTN Charter for Sustainable Cultural Tourism. ECTN urges all its eligible members and related cities to apply. Deadline for applications is 16 June 2021 www.SmartTourismCapital.eu 
26 March 2021
ECTN partner in a new Horizon2020 project on Cultural Heritage Management ECTN is a partner in the new ReInHerit project, Horizon2000 programme. ReInHerit is a Coordinating and Support Action (CSA), 100% funded by the Eurropean Union Horizon2020 programme. The project coordinator is the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation and partners are from Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Spain, Austria and Finland. The project started in March 2021 with a 3-year duration. ECTN's role is to lead the work on Best Practices regarding Cultural Heritage Management and Cultural Tourism, including organisation of study visits in relevant museums and cultural sites. Best practices will be collected by ECTN members, particularly in countries not represented in the ReInHerit consortium. Furthermore, ECTN will contribute to a 'smart tourism app' development, travelling and digital exhibitions, policy implications for the Research and Innovation Agenda in the next Horizon Europe programme, dissemination and communication activities. The ECTN annual conference will include a special session on ReInHerit CSA in 2023 and 2024. 
22 March 2021
ECTN supports the European Cultural Heritage Green Paper “Putting Europe’s shared heritage at the heart of the European Green Deal” by Europa Nostra in cooperation with ICOMOS and the Climate Heritage Network, with the input of other members of the European Heritage Alliance, also supported by the European Investment Bank Institute and the Creative Europe programme of the European Union There are some 40 references on tourism, including sustainable cultural tourism, therefore this document is of high relevance to the work of ECTN. It will be certainly included in the revised 4th edition of the "Charter for Sustainable Cultural Tourism", currently in progress to be launched at the ECTN Conference and Awards ceremony in Athens, Greece, on 21-22 October 2021. (read Executive Summary and Full Paper) 
17 March 2021
ECTN welcomes the European Commission proposal to create a Digital Green Certificate to facilitate safe free movement inside the EU Press Release by Tourism Manifesto Alliance 
1 March 2021
ECTN supports the #Tourism4Recovery campaign and the ‘Call for Action: Accelerate Social and Economic Recovery by Investing in Sustainable Tourism Development’ 
25 February 2021
ECTN welcomes the new guidelines on responsible restart of cultural tourism by UNWTO in collaboration with UNESCO News Release Guidelines
New ECTN Board 2021-2022
Following the General Assembly held online on 2 December 2020, ECTN has a new Board with effect 1 January 2021 for the next 2 years, viz: President: Pafos Regional Board of Tourism, Cyprus Vice-President: Sibiu County Tourism Association, Romania Members: - Vidzeme Tourism Association, Latvia (Immediate Past President) - Granada Diputacion, Spain - Experience Bremerhaven, Germany - Inter-Community Alto Minho, Portugal - University of Barcelona, Spain - City of Krk, Croatia Secretariat: Argonautica Network, Greece The Working Group coordinators are: - Policy: Vidzeme Tourism Association, Latvia (Immediate Past President) - Practice: Sibiu County Tourism Association, Romania (Vice-President) - Research: University of Barcelona, Spain 
ECTN celebrated 10 years of activities 2009 - 2019 !
ECTN was established as AISLB in Brussels on 20 May 2009. This year ECTN celebrates 10 years of continuous activities and growth, from the 6 founding members in 2009 to 29 members in 2019 and from 5 countries to 19 countries! During its 10 years of existence, ECTN has participated in 5 EU co-funded projects (4 currently active, established by the ECTN Secretariat), organised 9 international conferences and awarded annual prizes for 'Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism' since 2014.
ECTN a member of the Stakeholders Commitee for the EUROPEAN YEAR OF CULTURAL HERITAGE 2018, selected by the European Commission DG Education & Culture (EAC)
ECTN is the only member of the EYCH 2018 Stakeholders Committee with a tourism mandate |
ECTN welcomes new members and previous members rejoining ECTN is a member of the:
ECTN is a signatory of the:
ECTN Projects:
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