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Advances in Cultural Tourism Research

Proceedings of the International Conference on Cultural Tourism Advances, June 2023, Belgium

  • Open Access
  • 2025
  • Open Access
  • Book

About this book

This open access book pertains to the "International Conference on Cultural Tourism Advances," held on June 27 and 28, 2023, at KU Leuven, Belgium. It focuses on advancing understanding of the sustainable development potential of cultural tourism by examining successful policy interventions, emerging cultural tourism trends, advancements in visitor management systems, new business and governance models, and the opportunities arising from ICT in the twenty-first century. This book presents recent key advances and their significant outcomes in the domain of European Cultural Tourism.

Table of Contents

  1. Participatory Approaches to Cultural Tourism Management

    1. Frontmatter

    2. Challenges in Developing Sustainable Tourism Locally: Viewpoints from the Ground

      • Open Access
      Hanna Szemző, Eszter Turai, Gergő Berta
      The chapter focuses on the TExTOUR project, which aims to support sustainable tourism development in off-beat areas. It examines community attitudes towards local heritage and tourism development, revealing divergent views between experts and residents. Key topics include the perception and use of heritage, barriers to development, and the connection between sustainability and Europeanisation. The study highlights the complexities and contradictions in achieving sustainable tourism, emphasizing the need for community involvement and a balanced approach to development.
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    3. How Cultural Tourism Management Initiatives Come to Light Starting from Local Needs: The Case of the Crespi D’Adda Company Town

      • Open Access
      Elena Bussolati, Serena Cecere, Roberta De Bonis Patrignani, Matteo Tabasso
      The chapter discusses the significance of cultural tourism in today's economy and the challenges it faces, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It introduces the Horizon 2020 'TExTOUR' Project, which aims to design sustainable cultural tourism policies through participatory methods. The case study of Crespi d'Adda, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Italy, illustrates how bottom-up approaches can be used to co-design and implement cultural tourism strategies that meet local needs and enhance community engagement. The chapter also explores the integration of these strategies with UNESCO management plans, showcasing the potential for sustainable and inclusive tourism development.
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    4. Co-Creation Method for Fostering Cultural Tourism Impact

      • Open Access
      Shabnam Pasandideh, João Martins, Pedro Pereira, Alessandra Gandini, Mikel Zubiaga De La Cal, Tarmo Kalvet, Tatjana Koor, Amaia Sopelana, Amaia Lopez de Aguileta
      The chapter introduces a novel co-creation method for fostering cultural tourism impact, addressing the knowledge gap in multilevel and cross-border strategies. It emphasizes the use of DMSS to support decision-making and improve destination competitiveness. The IMPACTOUR methodology, developed within an EU-funded project, provides a holistic approach to sustainable cultural tourism development. By engaging local communities and leveraging data-driven strategies, the method aims to enhance the cultural, social, economic, and environmental aspects of tourism destinations. The chapter outlines the method's workflow, criteria for strategy selection, and the importance of monitoring KPIs to ensure effective and sustainable tourism development.
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    5. Stakeholders Engagement Processes for Co-Creation of Strategic Action Plans for Circular and Human-Centred Cultural Tourism in European Heritage Sites

      • Open Access
      Małgorzata Ćwikła, Cristina Garzillo, Martina Bosone, Antonia Gravagnuolo
      The chapter discusses the significance of stakeholder engagement in developing sustainable tourism strategies for European heritage sites. It introduces the concept of circular and human-centred cultural tourism, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices to preserve cultural and natural resources. The methodology involves a three-step co-design process, focusing on problem exploration, definition, and solving. The chapter also highlights the key findings from six pilot heritage sites, showcasing innovative solutions and the importance of community engagement in achieving sustainable tourism goals. The results demonstrate the potential of co-creation in fostering a more resilient and inclusive tourism model that benefits both locals and visitors.
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    6. Cultural Tourism in the Cyclades Before and After the Pandemic: A Stakeholders’ Perspective

      • Open Access
      Theano S. Terkenli, Vasilki Georgoula
      This chapter delves into the transformative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on cultural tourism in the Cyclades, focusing on the insights and perspectives of local, regional, and national stakeholders. It examines the distinctive characteristics of pre-pandemic cultural tourism in the region, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that emerged during the pandemic. The study also explores the post-pandemic outlook for cultural tourism, emphasizing the potential for sustainable and resilient tourism development. Through a SWOT analysis, the chapter identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with cultural tourism in the Cyclades, providing valuable insights for future planning and policy-making.
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  2. Responsible, Circular, and Human-Centred Regional Development Potential

    1. Frontmatter

    2. A Framework for Responsible Tourism in Scotland’s Historic Environment: Experiences from Transforming Tourism at a Film-Induced Heritage Visitor Attraction

      • Open Access
      Vanessa Glindmeier, Gary Treacy
      This chapter delves into the pressing need for responsible tourism in Scotland's historic environment, driven by rising visitor numbers and climate change. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has developed a comprehensive Responsible Tourism Framework to address these challenges. The framework is guided by five interlinking principles adapted from the Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism. A key example of its application is the Doune Sustainable Tourism Project at Doune Castle, which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of tourism operations and maximize benefits for the local community. The project involves sustainable infrastructure development, community engagement, and the promotion of local businesses. The chapter also discusses the broader implications of the framework for HES's estate and the potential for its application in other contexts, emphasizing the importance of a holistic and inclusive approach to responsible tourism.
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    3. Heritage and Territory: Tangible and Intangible Cultural Resources as Drivers of Regional Development in Croatia

      • Open Access
      Zvonimir Kuliš, Blanka Šimundić
      The chapter 'Heritage and Territory: Tangible and Intangible Cultural Resources as Drivers of Regional Development in Croatia' examines the significant role of cultural heritage in fostering regional development through cultural tourism. It discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry and the need for a more sustainable and resilient tourism paradigm. The chapter highlights Croatia's rich cultural heritage, including both tangible and intangible assets, and their potential to drive economic growth and regional development. It also explores the challenges and opportunities in leveraging cultural resources for tourism, emphasizing the need for intersectoral cooperation and strategic planning. The research methodology includes a spatial regression model to analyze the relationship between cultural heritage, tourism demand, and regional development. The study aims to provide policy recommendations and contribute to the academic discourse on cultural tourism and regional development.
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    4. Towards a Circular Cultural Tourism Impact Assessment Framework for Decision Support in Less-Known and Remote Destinations

      • Open Access
      Ludovica La Rocca, Francesca Buglione, Eugenio Muccio, Martina Bosone, Maria Cerreta, Pasquale De Toro, Antonia Gravagnuolo
      The chapter introduces a novel framework for assessing the impacts of circular cultural tourism strategies in less-known and remote destinations. It highlights the urgent need to address environmental and sustainability challenges in the tourism sector and proposes a circular economy approach to transform traditional tourism models. The framework, developed within the Horizon 2020 Be.CULTOUR project, employs the Theory of Change to design and monitor sustainable tourism strategies. It includes a set of criteria and indicators to evaluate the performance of circular cultural tourism across various dimensions such as cultural, environmental, social, and economic capital. The approach emphasizes stakeholder participation and collaboration, making it a valuable tool for destination managers and planners seeking to enhance the sustainability and circularity of cultural tourism.
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    5. Golden Rules for Sustainable Cultural Tourism Development: Findings of the EU SPOT Project

      • Open Access
      Milada Šťastná, Antonín Vaishar
      This chapter delves into the strategic measures required to enhance cultural tourism's role in regional development. It begins by highlighting the economic and social benefits of cultural tourism, including its potential for regional sustainability. The core of the chapter presents eight golden rules derived from the EU SPOT project, offering guidance on policy formulation, local engagement, shared vision, sustainable development, innovation, infrastructure, implementation, and monitoring. These rules are designed to support cultural tourism at various geographical levels, ensuring it contributes positively to economic, social, and environmental aspects. The chapter also underscores the importance of cultural tourism in fostering Europeanisation, emphasizing the need for horizontal policies that promote cultural diversity and identity. By sharing best practices and recommendations, this chapter provides invaluable insights for stakeholders aiming to develop sustainable and inclusive cultural tourism strategies.
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  3. New Data Methods and Digital Tools

    1. Frontmatter

    2. The Holistic, Digital Cultural Heritage Documentation of the Fikardou Traditional Village in Cyprus

      • Open Access
      Marinos Ioannides, Orestis Rizopoulos, Drew Baker, Elena Karittevli, Maria Hadjiathanasiou, Panayiota Samara, Ioannis Panayi, Marina Mateou, Iliana Koulafeti, Marios Koundouris, Kyriakos Efstathiou, George Savva, Elina Argyridou
      The chapter delves into the digital cultural heritage documentation of Fikardou Village, a traditional Cypriot settlement with a rich history dating back to the fifteenth century. It explores the village's unique architecture, heritage assets, and the challenges it faces in balancing economic, social, and environmental factors. The text also discusses the village's inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List and the digital strategies implemented to preserve its cultural heritage. These strategies include 3D modeling, virtual reality tours, and a digital platform that showcases the village's tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The chapter highlights the importance of involving local stakeholders in the decision-making process and the potential for digital cultural heritage documentation to enhance cultural tourism and economic development.
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    3. Methodology and Application of 3D Visualization in Sustainable Cultural Tourism Planning

      • Open Access
      Karima Kourtit, Peter Nijkamp, Henk Scholten, Yneke van Iersel
      The chapter delves into the rapid growth and digital transformation of the tourism sector, highlighting the need for sustainable practices to mitigate environmental impacts. It introduces the Be.CULTOUR project, which aims to develop co-creation approaches for cultural tourism in a circular economy context. The main focus is on the potential of 3D visualization methods, particularly digital twins, as spatial imaging tools for informed decision-making in sustainable cultural tourism planning. The empirical study on the Heerlen/Parkstad region in the Netherlands showcases the application of digital twins to map cultural-historical assets and assess sustainability dimensions, offering a glimpse into the future of evidence-based tourism planning. The chapter concludes with the importance of digital planning support tools in achieving balanced and sustainable tourism development, emphasizing the potential of digital twins in enhancing urban liveability and citizen engagement.
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    4. Identifying Cultural Tourists via Computational Text Analysis and Association Rule Mining

      • Open Access
      Bart Neuts
      The chapter delves into the complexities of defining and identifying cultural tourists, highlighting the lack of standardized measurement methods. It introduces a novel approach using computational text analysis and association rule mining on user-generated content from TripAdvisor reviews to better understand visitor motivations and experiences in Ghent, Belgium. The methodology, tested on 2507 reviews, reveals significant patterns and associations, providing insights into the typology of cultural tourists. The results suggest that Ghent attracts a mix of strongly and weakly culturally motivated tourists, with many visitors drawn to the city's historical atmosphere and attractions. The study underscores the importance of qualitative supportive tourist infrastructure and the richness of data from user-generated content in understanding tourist behavior.
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    5. SPOT-IT: An Advanced Tool for Dynamic Cultural Tourism Management and Regional Development

      • Open Access
      Anat Tchetchik, Shilo Shiff, Yaron Michael, Michael Sinclair, Irit Cohen-Amit, Irit Shmuel, Micheal Sofer
      This chapter presents SPOT-IT, an innovative GIS-based decision-support platform designed to address the complexities of modern cultural tourism management. SPOT-IT integrates multiple data layers, including land use, transport accessibility, and cultural tourism sites, to provide a holistic view of an area's tourism potential. The tool offers features such as suitability analysis, visitor prediction algorithms, and community collaboration apps, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions. Developed by a team from Bar-Ilan University and tested in Israel and Europe, SPOT-IT aims to promote sustainable tourism development by considering social, economic, and environmental factors. The chapter highlights the tool's application in the Emek HaMayanot Valley, showcasing its potential to overcome regional challenges and foster collaboration between municipalities. By leveraging advanced technologies and stakeholder involvement, SPOT-IT offers a unique approach to cultural tourism planning and management, making it a valuable resource for professionals in the field.
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    6. Redefining Cultural Tourism Leadership: Innovative Approach and Tool

      • Open Access
      João Martins, Pedro Pereira, Shabnam Pasandideh, Kashyap Raiyani, Tarmo Kalvet, Mikel Zubiaga De la cal, Alessandra Gandini
      The chapter delves into the significance of cultural tourism in the global economy, highlighting its potential for economic growth and job creation. It introduces innovative approaches and tools for cultural tourism leadership, emphasizing the crucial role of data in understanding tourist demands, destination planning, and market segmentation. Key trends such as big data analytics, geoinformation tools, and predictive analytics are explored, showcasing how these technologies can transform cultural tourism. The IMPACTOUR methodology and tool are presented as a step-by-step guide for stakeholders to measure and enhance the impact of cultural tourism initiatives. The chapter also discusses the importance of stakeholder engagement and the future vision of cultural tourism, emphasizing the role of digital transformation and sustainability in shaping the future of the industry.
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Title
Advances in Cultural Tourism Research
Editors
Bart Neuts
João Martins
Marinos Ioannides
Copyright Year
2025
Electronic ISBN
978-3-031-65537-1
Print ISBN
978-3-031-65536-4
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-65537-1

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