Project objectives

The project aims at the development and implementation of operative plans and new tools in order to consolidate and diversify urban and regional economy through the enhancement and tourist promotion of historic, cultural and religious heritage in the partner countries. In particular, the project aims to integrate the religious cultural values in the planning and development processes of urban, rural and peripheral centres of SEE programme area.

Project activities

• Creation of a religious heritage catalogue and assessment of the development potentials through the realization of a GIS map concerning all the partner regions, good practices and tourist service assets analysis;
• Elaboration of a Religious Tourism Common Model (RTCM);
• Creation of four Agencies – in Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece – specialised in religious tourism development;
• Internationalization and marketing promotion of religious touristic products in the South East Europe area, through the definition of touristic itineraries and routes, the participation into International Tourism Fairs and Seminars, the organization of promotional activities addressed to tour operators and religious tourism specialized agencies.

Expected results

• Elaboration of a SEE cultural and religious heritage virtual map;
• Elaboration of a Religious Tourism Common Model;
• Design and promotion of religious tourism itineraries;
• Creation of Tourist Agencies specialized in the development of religious tourism;

• Identification of a cross-border route to be proposed to the Council of Europe and included into the European Cultural Routes.

Type of service

• Identification of the touristic potential of the area;
• Identification of synergies with other projects;
• Involvement of the relevant stakeholders;
• Development of ideas and tools (integrated tourist itineraries, participation into the main International fairs) for the religious heritage use in order to foster the involved areas’ economic and touristic development;
• Individuation of sources of funding for new projects.