The training programme outcomes
Empowering Professionals for Sustainable Cultural Tourism Across Europe
Building skills, fostering innovation, and strengthening cultural tourism in Europe’s corners
Addressing Today’s Cultural Tourism Challenges
Cultural tourism across Europe is facing increasing challenges related to sustainability, seasonality, digital transition, and changing visitor expectations. Peripheral regions, in particular, often struggle to attract visitors beyond peak seasons while preserving their cultural identity and ensuring long-term socio-economic benefits for local communities.
In response to these challenges, the CulturalCorners Professional Development Training Programme was designed to equip professionals with the knowledge, tools, and perspectives needed to rethink cultural tourism in a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive way.
A European Training Programme with Local Impact
The training programme brought together artists, cultural practitioners, tourism professionals, destination managers, and policy-related actors from across Europe. While participation was open at European level, the programme primarily focused on professionals from the project’s three core regions: Cyprus, Lapland (Finland), and the Canary Islands (Spain).
This strong regional focus was complemented by participation from other European countries, fostering cross-border exchange and shared learning. In total, more than 160 professionals were reached through the training activities, creating a vibrant and diverse learning community.
From Sustainability to Digital Innovation
Delivered through four interactive online training sessions, the programme covered key thematic pillars essential for sustainable cultural tourism:
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sustainable cultural tourism practices,
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integration of local cultural heritage into tourism experiences,
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digital technologies for cultural tourism innovation, and
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customer engagement strategies for low-season tourism.
Participants explored how sustainability principles can be embedded into cultural tourism models, how local heritage can be valorised responsibly, and how digital tools can enhance accessibility, storytelling, and audience development.
Interactive Learning and Meaningful Engagement
The training sessions were delivered online, enabling participation across regions and reducing environmental impact. Live interaction was a core element of the programme, supported by interactive tools that encouraged discussion, reflection, and knowledge exchange.
Participants actively contributed during sessions, shared experiences from their local contexts, and engaged with trainers and peers in real time. This interactive format helped create an inclusive learning environment and strengthened the practical relevance of the training content.
Lasting Impact and the Road Ahead
Beyond immediate learning outcomes, the training programme generated valuable insights into the needs and priorities of professionals working in cultural tourism today. Participant feedback highlighted increased awareness of sustainable practices, new approaches to cultural heritage integration, and greater confidence in using digital tools for innovation.
The insights gathered through the training are already being used to refine and strengthen the programme, ensuring its continued relevance and adaptability. As part of the wider CulturalCorners project, the training programme demonstrates the power of targeted capacity building to support more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cultural tourism ecosystems across Europe’s corners.