The IMPACTOUR project aims to create an innovative, easy-to-use methodology and tool to assess the impact of cultural tourism on European economic and social development, and to improve policies and practices in this field. Europa Nostra is among the 12 project partners from 9 EU Member States who are working on this project between January 2020 and December 2022. Europa Nostra’s Board Member Graham Bell took part in the kick-off meeting held in Lisbon on 28-29 January. The meeting was hosted by the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, the Project Leader. IMPACTOUR is funded by the EU Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme with a budget of circa € 3 million.

The project will address the knowledge gaps concerning methods to measure different types of cultural tourism impacts and to assess multilevel and cross-border strategies, policies and practices and their contribution to sustainable development.

By identifying and comparing quantitative and qualitative pan-European information on types of cultural tourism, and by providing quantifiable evidence of cultural tourism strategies and their effect on European regions’ development and cohesion, IMPACTOUR will deliver an innovative methodology and tool for destination managers.

The project will develop a sustainable ecosystem by engaging cultural tourism stakeholders and implementing a participatory approach. The IMPACTOUR project will lead to reinforcing the commitment to enhance Europe as a cultural tourism destination, increasing local citizens’ sense of belonging, promoting minority cultures and strengthening identities, especially in marginal locations. The project’s methodology will be completed and tested with data coming from 15 Data Information Pilots and the IMPACTOUR tool will be validated in 5 Validation Pilots, with distinct characteristics spread around Europe.

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