Formed in February 2003.A Not-for profit companyRegistered in BrusselsBankers in Netherlands

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Board:Zeeland(Netherlands) WalesVolos (Greece)Västra Götaland(Sweden)City of Turku(Suomi)Midland Region (Ireland)University of Barcelona

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AIMS:facilitate the development of transnational projectsensure improved cooperation and integration between the tourism and cultural sectorsdevelop and improve training opportunitiesenable exchange of experience and best practicedevelop common responses to European Commission consultationslink with other networks.

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Conferences ( average of 150 attendees per conference)Barcelona (twice)CardiffGothenburgTurku

Next Conference:Early 2012 – in Midland Region, Ireland – subject: Cultural tourism as an economic driver in a recession

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TurkuResearching the economic benefit of Cultural Tourism within the wider tourism benefits

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Turku, Finland –(pop 177430)

2009 2010

Income from Tourism €252million €230million

Direct income from Cultural services sector

  €33million (15%)

Jobs created by this sector   546

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WalesCultural Tourism Strategy for Wales agreed and Cultural Tourism Partnership formed in 2003In 2009 a “champion” for Cultural Tourism was appointed (a senior Regional Tourism Officer)

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Wales cultural tourism partnership membersTourism Association (made up of sme’s)Arts Council: Arts WalesRegional Tourism PartnershipsFestival organisersChurches Tourism NetworkVisit Wales (Wales government)CADW (Welsh Heritage)Local government AssociationAssociation of Tourist Guides Traditional Music organisation Welsh language BoardNational MuseumsHistoric HousesBBC 

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An action plan launched in 2008 with 4 main themes-to:Improve visitor access to Welsh culture and heritageImprove access to Wales’ national artRaise the profile of Wales as a cultural tourism destinationImprove our understanding of the value, characteristics and need of the cultural tourist

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Interreg 3CThe project provided guidance to best practice in the development, management and promotion of Cultural Tourism, based on case studies, research and experience of European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) partners

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Interreg IVc ( awaiting approval)CHARTS: (Culture and Heritage Added value to Regional policies for Tourism Sustainability)

BACKGROUND

The CHARTS project focuses on the role of culture and heritage in the formulation and delivery of added-value to regional strategies for sustainable tourism development and integration into local, regional, national and EU policies.

PARTNERSHIPThere are 13 Partners

First time that ECTN has joined a project as an entity(because we are fully constituted)

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The European Network for historic places of worship The European Heritage Network European Network for Cultural Centres European Cultural Heritage Online Europa Nostra European Cultural Heritage Network Cultural Information and Research Centres Liaison in Europe Trans Europe Halles (the European Network of Independent Cultural

Centres European Network for Baroque Cultural Heritage European Route of Industrial Heritage The European network of Cultural centre –historic monuments European Network of Cultural Administration Training Centres Nectsour Conference of Atlantic Arc Cities - Culture & Heritage Group Council of Europe Cultural Routes The European Association of Historic Towns and Regions

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Who can we work with?How can the various components of Cultural tourism be encouraged to work together?Can we be a Virtual Network? Using the social media to share ideas, information, events etcCloser links with academic research – especially ATLASContinue as a lobby for Cultural tourism to the governance at European level.

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What you can do? Join our virtual network Consider asking ECTN to join a project Attend the 2012 conference

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