Cultural heritage lies at the very heart of the collective memory and identity of the citizens of the world. Destinations that boast archaeological sites, ancient architecture, folklore traditions and arts and that find themselves along these ancient routes can assume the role of catalysts for exchange of experience between peoples and cultures through tourism development, and thereby promote sustainable growth, prosperity and peace in their own regions. 

Recognizing the above, the Congress explored the possible ways in which world civilizations could be brought to life through tourism,  in particular by harnessing the potential historic routes offer for the enhancement of cultural heritage of destinations and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs´). The congress produced a useful set of recommendations that can provide guidance to all tourism stakeholders interested in harnessing the potential that cultural heritage routes offer for enhancing the attractiveness and competiveness of destinations.

Best practice example

Launched in 2017 as a joint initiative between UNWTO and the European Union, the UNWTO’s Western Silk Road focuses on the development and diversification of the Western link of the Silk Road, an area geographically defined to primarily include European Union Member States, but also partner countries located along the Mediterranean basin, the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. The collaborative initiative integrates both a product development and capacity building components to successfully design strategies to foster sustainable tourism development along the Western Silk Road, with tangible and intangible Silk Road heritage as a unifying theme.

Programme 

The programme of the Congress is available here. 

Day 1 of the Conference

Day 2 of the Conference

Pictures of the event

Useful links

• Press release: "Harness Cultural Routes and Experiences for Competitive Tourism, Concludes UNWTO Congress"
• Pictures of the event
• International Congress on World Civilizations and Creative Tourism, 29 November - 1 December 2016, Sofia, Bulgaria
• UNWTO Silk Road Programme

Documents

• Programme
• Concept note
• Information note
• Route 66 interview
• Ms. María Nava Castro - The Saint James Way
• Mr. Aaron Mahr - Route 66
• Mr. Antonio Barrone - The Phoenicians´ route
• Mr. Barnaby Davis - Eastguides
• Mr. Jens Thraenhart - Successful Promotion and Capacity Building of Cultural Tourism and Thematic Routes
• Summary of the Conference by John Bell, travel journalist and consultant

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