Deadline: 15-May-2025
The European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) is accepting nominations for the European Cultural Tourism Awards to enhance the visibility of European cultural tourism destinations, create a platform for sharing experience and knowledge and promotes networking between destinations.
The Awards have been organised since 2014 by ECTN around annual themes, for the benefit of destinations, communities, associations, businesses, citizens and visitors.
The 2025 edition of the Awards is organised by ECTN in partnership with Europa Nostra, the European Travel Commission and NECSTouR, supported by Iter Vitis Cultural Route of the Council of Europe and in the framework of the INSPIRES SMP, EnoGastroDEST and Smart Tour Interreg Europe projects.
Theme
- The 2025 overall theme is:
- “Visitor Experiences and Authenticity for Sustainable, Smart and Resilient Cultural Tourism Destinations”
- The Awards will be given for achievements by cultural tourist destinations which have produced significant results related to enhancing visitor experience while respecting traditions and involving local host communities.
- The 2025 Awards address the following tangible and intangible heritage-related aspects of resilient, smart and sustainable cultural tourism development and promotion:
- Resilience in Sustainable Cultural Tourism Destinations (linked to the INSPIRES SMP-COSME project), including natural heritage, green transition, and climate action.
- Awarding entries that demonstrate “Resilient Tourism”, viz:
- Honouring initiatives that have demonstrated exceptional resilience in safeguarding cultural heritage during times of crisis, including disasters, economic downturns, and global pandemics. Such projects may include adaptive responses like virtual heritage tours during lockdowns, innovative restoration efforts in the aftermath of disasters, or the rapid reimagining of tourism experiences to protect both visitors and heritage sites.
- Special recognition will be given to projects that focus on preparedness and climate adaptation strategies, ensuring that cultural and natural heritage remains protected from the increasingly severe impacts of climate change. Initiatives that implement green transition and sustainable tourism practices, such as the use of eco-friendly materials in site restoration or strategies to mitigate the environmental impacts of tourism, will be celebrated for their forward-thinking approach.
- Efforts to manage visitor flow and reduce the pressures of overtourism. Entries that focus on redistributing tourist activity to lesser known, yet culturally significant, destinations are encouraged. By promoting these, initiatives not only alleviate overcrowding at major tourist sites but also support the economic development of smaller communities.
- Fostering collaboration among Tourism SMEs, to develop digital and green transition solutions, with resilience. Tourism resilience refers to dealing with crises for maintaining stability, while ensuring flexibility and diversity for innovation and further development.
- Awarding entries that demonstrate “Resilient Tourism”, viz:
- Wine and Gastronomy Tourism based on eno-culinary heritage preservation (linked to the ‘EnoGastroDEST’ Interreg Europe project), including authentic experiences. Supported by Iter Vitis Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.
- Awarding initiatives for Experiential Culinary and Wine Tourism:
- Recognising projects that integrate traditional farming methods, local vineyards, and authentic culinary recipes, while promoting sustainable tourism practices. This could include immersive initiatives like vineyard and winery tours with local experts, hands-on cooking classes, and authentic food tasting events, where tourists not only experience the region’s gastronomy but also learn about their cultural significance.
- Showcasing lesser-known local cuisines or unique wine varieties with historical relevance. Projects that offer tourists a deeper connection to regional culture through eno-culinary history and heritage are eligible for recognition.
- Preserving and promoting viticulture and culinary heritage and applying it to the development and promotion of Wine and Gastronomy Tourism, as Experiential Cultural Tourism, including authenticity.
- Awarding initiatives for Experiential Culinary and Wine Tourism:
- Digitalisation in Smart Tourism Cultural Heritage and Creativity aspects, enhancing visitor experiences (linked to the ‘Smart Tour’ Interreg Europe project). Supported by Europeana.
- Awarding innovative digital approaches for smart tourism:
- This category recognises initiatives that use digital tools —such as virtual reality (VR), mobile apps, and interactive exhibits— to enhance the global experience of cultural heritage. Award-winning projects will provide immersive virtual tours of UNESCO, national, or local heritage sites, including European Heritage Label sites, and digital archives that preserve endangered traditions and narratives.
- Special recognition will be given to projects that use digital platforms to encourage sustainable cultural tourism, providing tourists with real-time data on eco-friendly travel options and personalised cultural recommendations that can help mitigate environmental impact while enhancing the visitor experience.
- Digitalisation aspects of Smart Tourism (digital services to travellers) and Smart Destinations (digital infrastructure and networks) to be included in relevant policies and strategies for enhancing visitor experiences.
- Awarding innovative digital approaches for smart tourism:
- Transnational Thematic Tourism products involving Culture and Heritage, including European Cultural Routes and European Heritage Label networks, cross-border and multi-destination tourism initiatives involving at least 2 countries.
- Awarding cross-border and multi-destination travel initiatives promoting shared heritage and authentic visitor experiences:
- Projects that create interconnected cultural travel routes across multiple countries, showcasing shared cultural heritage (such as ancient trade routes or architectural styles), will be awarded. These routes should encourage the use of sustainable transport options (e.g., electric trains, ferries), allowing tourists to explore multiple destinations with minimal environmental impact. Slow travel options will also be welcome.
- Recognition will also be given to projects that foster collaboration between neighbouring countries, regions and communities, to organise joint cultural events, festivals, or heritage preservation projects. Initiatives that highlight cross-border heritage and enhance cultural exchange will be celebrated for their role in strengthening regional ties and promoting mutual understanding.
- Awarding cross-border and multi-destination travel initiatives promoting shared heritage and authentic visitor experiences:
- Cultural Tourism Services for All, Visitors and Residents Alike (linked to the EU Transition Pathway for Tourism Topic 26), including authenticity and sustainable cultural tourism for the younger generation.
- Awarding Inclusive Cultural Tourism initiatives, such as:
- Diversifying and developing tourism services so that they benefit both residents and visitors. Developing services that are of interest to local residents provides natural meeting places between residents and visitors in authentic local cultural attractions and practices.
- Taking into account different types of customers, such as families or individuals, or people with different religious, spiritual or sexual orientations. Destination level tourism management organisations involving residents in the planning and follow-up of tourism activities and impacts.
- Sustainable tourism for the younger generation: to foster and support the interest of young people to travel and learn about the history and culture of Europe through authentic personal experiences and exchanges.
- Awarding Inclusive Cultural Tourism initiatives, such as:
- Resilience in Sustainable Cultural Tourism Destinations (linked to the INSPIRES SMP-COSME project), including natural heritage, green transition, and climate action.
- “Visitor Experiences and Authenticity for Sustainable, Smart and Resilient Cultural Tourism Destinations”
Eligibility Criteria
- The ECTN Awards are open to all tourist destinations across Europe, national, regional and local authorities, tourism boards and associations, destination management organisations, museums, heritage sites, interpretation centres, cultural routes, festivals and cultural NGOs.
For more information, visit ECTN.