About this webinar:
The Webinar will present and discuss the latest concepts and initiatives on Smart Tourism and Smart Destinations, in relation to cultural heritage, digitalisation and sustainability. In particular, the ‘Smart Tourism’ framework of the European Commission - Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) will be presented as well as the ‘Smart Destinations’ initiative of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Smart tourism as defined by the EC responds to new challenges and demands in a fast-changing sector, including the evolution of digital tools, products, and services; equal opportunity and access for all visitors; sustainable development of the local area; and support to creative industries, local talent and heritage. Smart Tourism is thus closely related to cultural heritage with digitalisation in sustainable cultural tourism development and promotion. The new ‘European Capital of Smart Tourism Award’ since 2019 has components of ‘Sustainability, Accessibility, Digitalisation, Cultural Heritage and Creativity’. Cultural Heritage aspects are about protecting and capitalising on the cultural heritage, as well as local potential and its creative assets. A smart destination according to UNWTO is one with a strategy for technology, innovation, sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity, along the entire tourism cycle: before, during and after the trip. The pillars that comprise a smart destination thus include sustainability, innovation, and technology, which are closely related to the scope of the ‘ReInHerit’ Horizon2020 Coordination and Support Action (CSA).
Speakers:
Manos Vougioukas
is Secretary-General of the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN), the only pan-European Network that brings together the cultural, heritage and tourism sectors to work together for sustainable cultural tourism development and promotion. He has established, managed, and coordinated 12 EU co-funded projects on sustainable and cultural tourism during the past 25 years. He is the main author of the ‘Charter for Sustainable Cultural Tourism’ adopted by ECTN. He holds BSc and MSc degrees and a Diploma in Economics. He served as a member of the Stakeholders Committee for European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018, selected by EC DG EAC. He has been active in all UNWTO Smart Destinations conferences and supported the EU Smart Tourism Capital initiative from its outset. More recently, he has coordinated the Interreg Europe DESTI-SMART project. He is a member of Europa Nostra, Interpret Europe, the Tourism Society and Europeana Network.
Nasos Hadjigeorgiou
is the President of the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) since January 2021, having previously served as ECTN Vice-President for 4 years (2017-2020). He serves as Executive Manager of the Pafos Regional Board of Tourism since its establishment. The Pafos Regional Board of Tourism is the official body representing all the sectors involved in the region’s tourism industry. The Board consists of thirteen members, including the four Municipalities, Deputy Ministry of Tourism, the Union of Pafos Communities, hoteliers’ association, chamber of commerce and representatives of all associations related to the travel industry. Nasos Hadjigeorgiou has a long presence in the tourism industry having served through various levels including supervising, head of department and almost all aspects of hospitality. He has been involved in several Interreg projects on sustainable cultural tourism, digitalisation, cultural routes, smart tourism mobility and accessibility. He has recently initiated the idea and led the winning application for Pafos as ‘European Capital of Smart Tourism 2023’ and he oversees its events programme.
