Madrid,
Spain, 16 November 2018 – Following the first edition held two years
ago, the 2nd International Congress on World Civilizations and Historic
Routes (15-16 November) concluded today in Sofia, Bulgaria. In the
framework of the European Year of Cultural Heritage and the EU-China
Tourism Year, the event explored how tourism along historic routes can
help to safeguard and promote tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Organized
by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Ministry of Tourism
of Bulgaria, the congress explored the role of national and regional
public bodies in enhancing of historic routes, particularly across
nations. It gathered Ministers from four continents, as well as public
and private experts representing iconic cultural tourism routes
including Route 66, the Way of Saint James (Camino de Santiago), the
Phoenicians’ Route and the Silk Road.
“Historic
routes can play a major role in revealing the unique history, culture
and natural assets of territories along them, becoming a powerful
promotional tool and a unique instrument to increase tourism
competitiveness for many destinations”, said UNWTO Deputy
Secretary-General Jaime Cabal opening the event.
Nikolina Angelkova, Minister of Tourism
of Bulgaria, outlined her plans to advance cultural tourism in Bulgaria.
“Cultural tourism can play a key role in turning Bulgaria into an
all-year-round tourism destination. We are considering creating an
ancient civilizations’ route incorporating UNESCO monuments, which would
better acknowledge and promote the Balkan region as a tourism
destination,” she said.
Discussions centred on identifying best
practices in tourism development, management and promotion that can help
to harness the tourism potential of historic routes, enhance the value
of their cultural heritage, and preserve their authenticity. Successful
examples were exchanged of well-developed and managed historic routes,
with a focus on ways to maximize tourism’s socio-economic impacts for
local communities and contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals.
In
recent years cultural tourism has emerged as a major driver of demand,
in line with travellers’ growing interest to immerse themselves in
tourism ‘experiences’ such as local rituals and traditions. The congress
produced a useful set of recommendations that can provide guidance to
all tourism stakeholders interested in harnessing the potential that
cultural heritage routes offer for enhancing the attractiveness and
competiveness of destinations.
Video recordings of the 2nd International Congress on World Civilizations and Historic Routes will be uploaded early next week.
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