The CHRISTA Action Plans are under implementation during Phase 2 in the 9 partner destination regions and the first results are becoming visible.
Highlights by region are as follows:
Veneto Region, Italy
Innovative organizational structures, with capacity-building on building up sustainable tourist products, working in network and managing the destination “Northern Lagoon of Venice”, target area of the project. The result of the capacity building process has been the foundation of an association (April 2018) called OTS – Sustainable tourism operators Association - between stakeholders involved in CHRISTA. This no profit association aims to sensitize people/visitors about the lagoon heritage and the development of tourism in sustainable way according to an agreement signed by members (Action 1 in the AP). On 31/5/2018 we presented the AP to stakeholders. OTS and the final AP were officially presented to general public and press on 25/6/2018 in Certosa island. The day before, on 24 June, OTS organized the first festival “Laguna in rete” with several visits and activities to promote slow tourism in lagoon (Action 2 in AP).
An excellent result is new Info points from Southern to Northern lagoon of venice and the specific lagoon map at visitors’ disposal in Information Offices and Info points.
Region of Central Macedonia, Greece
A special Panoramic View -360ο- application developed for the Region of Central Macedonia with the name “LiveIt – Central Macedonia” Panoramic View 360ο application.
Region Västra Götaland, Sweden
Formed a regional cultural tourism group within the Prisma VG. The new working group on cultural tourism has developed into an important platform for coordinating the cultural heritage sector on tourism issues and discussing small-scale cultural tourism with representatives of the tourism sector.
Granada County, Spain
Preservation of the natural and cultural heritage, used as main element to generate innovative, responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives. Granada Geopark generates environmental awareness and a participative process that enrich the implementation of the Action Plan reinforcing the local identity. At the same time, the first step of the implementation has generated lot of interest in local agents and visitors form other part of Andalusia region.
Vidzeme, Latvia
The local stakeholders became more aware of the importance of accurate market research data to shape public policies for competitive and sustainable tourism destinations. The visitors` profile was updated in cooperation with the local stakeholders and the final study was shared.
Regarding the Pilot activity implementation in Carnikava, the idea was adopted from Veneto region: The ILAGOON audio-video guide that is equipped with a touch screen where one can play video, images and texts. Carnikava municipality is creating the Lamprey visual guide that will be available also offline and for each smartphone or tablet. This pilot action enhances the Tourism Development Strategy, demonstrating a best-practice approach in one of the stakeholder municipalities.
Pafos, Cyprus
Intangible heritage included in the policy instrument 'Pafos Regional Strategic Tourism Development Plan', in terms of the 'Phytiotico' weaving traditions as a means of developing sustainable cultural tourism. Industrial heritage recognised as a potential niche market for cultural tourism development.
Sibiu, Romania
The action plan activities and the monitoring indicators were integrated in the annual action plan of Sibiu County Tourism Association and in the updated Action plan of Sibiu County Council 2018-2020 (Decision of the County Council no 129/31.05.2019). The progress of the Action plan implementation was reported based on these indicators.
The Sibiu local breakfast programme developed within the project influenced Sibiu County Council to adopt a public policy for the use of eco-friendly recipients by the beneficiaries of projects financed by public instruments (eg. the cultural and the community agendas). This good example was followed by tourism services.
Burgas, Bulgaria
Regional historical Museum Burgas was awarded a Diploma for Contribution to the Conservation and Promotion of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The three-day celebrations in Tourist and archaeological complex Aquae Calidae began with presentation of the first book dedicated to the ancient mineral baths and the recently completed conservation and restoration works.
Ave, Portugal
Related initiatives to contribute to the sustainability of Industrial Tourism and of a policy changing in the north of Portugal. By involving the policy instrument owner MA we had reached a formal position of support and a formal policy change, having CCDR-N proposed a 300.000 € budget for the industrial heritage project, assuming that a consortium is prepared in the region, and having the same institution (policy owner) assumed that in future budgets this policy will be supported.
