by Filippo M. Cailotto,
Why are creative tourism and the New European Bauhaus at the centre of the FORTE CULTURA Congress 2025? As the European Union shapes its future through sustainability, inclusivity and cultural innovation, two key initiatives stand out: “Creative Tourism” and the “New European Bauhaus (NEB)”. Both emphasise social commitment, the preservation of cultural heritage and ecological responsibility – and are therefore central themes of the upcoming “FORTE CULTURA Congress 2025 at Forte di Bard“.
This article explores the strong links between these two approaches and their potential, redefine the role of fortified cultural heritage in today’s society.
Creative tourism and NEB: common goals and complementary visions. At first glance, creative tourism and the New European Bauhaus may seem different in their origins and methods. However, they share three basic principles which make them effective instruments for the sustainable development of cultural heritage sites:
1. sustainability
- The NEB promotes sustainable urban and cultural development and ensures that historic sites remain relevant and accessible while reducing their environmental footprint.
- Creative tourism transforms cultural heritage sites into active cultural spaces that attract visitors and benefit both the local economy and the environment.
2. community engagement and social inclusion
- NEB promotes participatory urban planning and strengthens the sense of ownership and belonging in local communities.
- Creative tourism invites residents to actively tell stories and offer experiencesto ensure that visitors come into authentic contact with local traditions, arts and daily life.
3. cultural and economic resilience
- NEB supports cultural heritage as an engine for economic development and integrates it into more comprehensive refurbishment strategies.
- Creative tourism offers fortified sites sustainable business modelsThis reduces dependence on mass tourism and at the same time diversifies sources of income.
By harmonising these approaches, fortress managers can Increase funding opportunities for heritage conservation, improve the resilience of sites and create meaningful cultural experiences. for visitors.
Why this is important for our members. The managers of fortified cultural heritage sites are facing growing challenges: How can they attract visitors beyond traditional viewing? How can they secure funding for conservation while ensuring cultural and environmental sustainability?
EU funding programmes increasingly require projects to be both environmentally and socially sustainable. two pillars that underpin both creative tourism and the NEB. By implementing these strategies, fortress managers can:
- their Project proposals to obtain European funding
- new tourist experiences that appeal to communities and visitors alike
- their sites as Role model for sustainable and inclusive cultural heritage management Position
The FORTE CULTURA Congress 2025 in the Forte di Bard fortress offers the ideal platform to explore these possibilitiesto learn from experts and get in touch with key stakeholders from all over Europe.
📅 Dates: March 27-29, 2025
📍 Location: Forte di Bard, Aosta Valley, Italy
🎤 Key Speaker: Prof. Nancy Duxbury, University of Coimbra (PT), author of Creative Tourism: Activating Cultural Resources and Engaging Creative Travellers
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