Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SECreTour (Sustainable, Engaging and CREative Tourism as a driver for a better future in rural and remote areas)
Reporting period: 2024-03-01 to 2025-05-31
The SECreTour project addresses the call “Fostering socio-economic development and job creation in rural and remote areas through cultural tourism” under the 2023 Research and Innovation programme on cultural heritage and CCIs. This Research and Innovation Action (RIA) aims to enable sustainable social, cultural, and economic development through innovative, participatory, and collaborative approaches. These strategies empower local communities and stakeholders to become central agents of transformation, minimising negative impacts while replicating successful practices into new models and policies. SECreTour focuses on non-touristic heritage and underexplored areas, not for exploitation, but to promote community-based tourism where sustainability, engagement, and creativity are the true “secrets” of Europe’s Biocultural Heritage
The project is structured around five key objectives:
O1. Foster bottom-up local strategies for sustainable cultural tourism, focusing, on the one hand, on hidden potentials in remote, rural or deindustrialized areas usually not taken into account and, on the other hand, on the experience, interests, knowledge and participation of visitors. This includes the identification and testing of innovative approaches to strengthening local identity while at the same time facilitating a better alignment (meeting of minds) between the self-image of the local communities and the expectations and potential contributions of desirable tourist segments. It also includes using these potential resources as drivers of a sustainable economic local development from a social, cultural and environmental point of view and as channels of intercultural understanding.
O2. Develop specific, innovative and alternative business models based on cooperation and participatory approaches (i.e. mechanisms of payment-for-services and social contracts for redistribution of benefits and cooperation among stakeholders, local communities and economic sectors), promoting communities of practices and a positive impact on local communities, from a social, cultural, environmental and economic point of view. Implement cultural tourism based on living territories and communities, reducing tourism’s negative impact through consciousness-raising and strengthening local identities and socialties.
O3. Provide insights for the design of effective and sustainable cultural tourism policies. Make policy recommendations based on participatory models and collaborative practices, with the aim to stimulate new synergies among public and private stakeholders and new investments.
O4. Promote an inclusive and sustainable cultural and creative tourism to the widest possible range of actors interested in safeguarding both the needs of local communities and the heritage of European rural and remote areas. Special attention will be paid to increasing the involvement of younger people under 30, the ageing population, and minorities. The aim is to increase the motivation of younger people (particularly women) to stay and contribute to the development of Heritage Communities (HC) by offering new job opportunities and strengthening local identities, and a better recognition and engagement of older people’ status as valuable and respected HC members with vital knowledge, skills and experiences to pass on to coming generations. The latter directly connects to the EC’s support to the development of the Silver Economy, which in this case would involve both engaging older citizens locally and attracting tourists from ‘silver’ segments with a special interest in cultural experiences.
O5. Increase collaboration and networking across Europe focused on fair, creative and cultural tourism in rural and remote areas, with specific macro-regional and cross-border cooperation strategies to help the socioeconomic development based on multifunctionality, participation and redistribution of benefits.
The project is structured around five key objectives:
O1. Foster bottom-up local strategies for sustainable cultural tourism, focusing, on the one hand, on hidden potentials in remote, rural or deindustrialized areas usually not taken into account and, on the other hand, on the experience, interests, knowledge and participation of visitors. This includes the identification and testing of innovative approaches to strengthening local identity while at the same time facilitating a better alignment (meeting of minds) between the self-image of the local communities and the expectations and potential contributions of desirable tourist segments. It also includes using these potential resources as drivers of a sustainable economic local development from a social, cultural and environmental point of view and as channels of intercultural understanding.
O2. Develop specific, innovative and alternative business models based on cooperation and participatory approaches (i.e. mechanisms of payment-for-services and social contracts for redistribution of benefits and cooperation among stakeholders, local communities and economic sectors), promoting communities of practices and a positive impact on local communities, from a social, cultural, environmental and economic point of view. Implement cultural tourism based on living territories and communities, reducing tourism’s negative impact through consciousness-raising and strengthening local identities and socialties.
O3. Provide insights for the design of effective and sustainable cultural tourism policies. Make policy recommendations based on participatory models and collaborative practices, with the aim to stimulate new synergies among public and private stakeholders and new investments.
O4. Promote an inclusive and sustainable cultural and creative tourism to the widest possible range of actors interested in safeguarding both the needs of local communities and the heritage of European rural and remote areas. Special attention will be paid to increasing the involvement of younger people under 30, the ageing population, and minorities. The aim is to increase the motivation of younger people (particularly women) to stay and contribute to the development of Heritage Communities (HC) by offering new job opportunities and strengthening local identities, and a better recognition and engagement of older people’ status as valuable and respected HC members with vital knowledge, skills and experiences to pass on to coming generations. The latter directly connects to the EC’s support to the development of the Silver Economy, which in this case would involve both engaging older citizens locally and attracting tourists from ‘silver’ segments with a special interest in cultural experiences.
O5. Increase collaboration and networking across Europe focused on fair, creative and cultural tourism in rural and remote areas, with specific macro-regional and cross-border cooperation strategies to help the socioeconomic development based on multifunctionality, participation and redistribution of benefits.
We are at the project’s midpoint, and all Work Packages (WPs) are progressing steadily, with first results emerging in line with expectations.
• WP1 produced D1.1: Mapping on Territorial Commons in Rural Europe, an in-depth analysis of diverse heritage community realities in rural/remote regions.
• WP2 closely collaborated with WP1 to deliver D2.1: Report on Alternative and Hybrid Business Models and D2.2: Slide Report on Business Model Prototypes. D2.1 involved a literature review, while D2.2 analysed project pilots using the business model canvas, identifying barriers, opportunities, and key insights for sustainable tourism.
• WP3 (Pilots) is advancing well. D3.1 is scheduled for September 2025 and will document the pilots’ local work. In the coming months, we expect the formal establishment of several heritage communities.
• WP4 initiated cross-border and macro-regional collaborations, formalised in over 15 agreements. D4.1: Model for Collaboration Agreements outlines existing initiatives and their connections to the project’s other areas (heritage communities, business models, and pilots). A dedicated workshop, hosted by USI, is planned for October 2025.
• WP5 developed and launched the Good Practices Repository, a curated, solution-focused platform drawing from pilot data, external inputs, and cross-WP collaboration. It includes structured factsheets and a searchable database. (https://secretourproject.eu/goodpractices(opens in new window)).
• WP6 focuses on result exploitation. A comprehensive plan has been prepared to maximise the uptake and use of project outputs, with implementation set to accelerate in the coming months.
• WP7 oversees communication and dissemination. D7.1 and D7.2 confirm a strong online presence and active channels. As an example, the project’s YouTube channel features 12 videos showcasing pilot stories and interviews with coordinators.
• WP8 ensures effective project management and coordination. All planned tasks are on track, and the consortium operates smoothly, ensuring project milestones are met.
• WP1 produced D1.1: Mapping on Territorial Commons in Rural Europe, an in-depth analysis of diverse heritage community realities in rural/remote regions.
• WP2 closely collaborated with WP1 to deliver D2.1: Report on Alternative and Hybrid Business Models and D2.2: Slide Report on Business Model Prototypes. D2.1 involved a literature review, while D2.2 analysed project pilots using the business model canvas, identifying barriers, opportunities, and key insights for sustainable tourism.
• WP3 (Pilots) is advancing well. D3.1 is scheduled for September 2025 and will document the pilots’ local work. In the coming months, we expect the formal establishment of several heritage communities.
• WP4 initiated cross-border and macro-regional collaborations, formalised in over 15 agreements. D4.1: Model for Collaboration Agreements outlines existing initiatives and their connections to the project’s other areas (heritage communities, business models, and pilots). A dedicated workshop, hosted by USI, is planned for October 2025.
• WP5 developed and launched the Good Practices Repository, a curated, solution-focused platform drawing from pilot data, external inputs, and cross-WP collaboration. It includes structured factsheets and a searchable database. (https://secretourproject.eu/goodpractices(opens in new window)).
• WP6 focuses on result exploitation. A comprehensive plan has been prepared to maximise the uptake and use of project outputs, with implementation set to accelerate in the coming months.
• WP7 oversees communication and dissemination. D7.1 and D7.2 confirm a strong online presence and active channels. As an example, the project’s YouTube channel features 12 videos showcasing pilot stories and interviews with coordinators.
• WP8 ensures effective project management and coordination. All planned tasks are on track, and the consortium operates smoothly, ensuring project milestones are met.
Although it is early to present final outcomes, several achievements stand out:
• Analysis of heritage communities and cultural tourism business models has produced actionable insights that will soon inform pilot activities.
• Pilot initiatives are actively engaging local communities, with heritage community formation underway.
• The Good Practices Repository is expanding and will soon include external contributions.
• The collaboration network continues to grow, paving the way for broader impact.
• Analysis of heritage communities and cultural tourism business models has produced actionable insights that will soon inform pilot activities.
• Pilot initiatives are actively engaging local communities, with heritage community formation underway.
• The Good Practices Repository is expanding and will soon include external contributions.
• The collaboration network continues to grow, paving the way for broader impact.