Goal: To incorporate culture, heritage and creativity in comprehensive tourism strategies for regenerating tourism with sustainability and resilience.

The 'European Cultural Tourism Network' (ECTN) is the only pan-European network dedicated to Sustainable Cultural Tourism development and promotion. ECTN is a non-profit international association registered in Belgium. ECTN Members are destinations, local and regional authorities, tourist boards and associations, DMOs, universities and research institutes. ECTN is a member of 'European Heritage Alliance 3.3' coordinated by Europa Nostra and signatory of the 'European Tourism Manifesto for Growth and Jobs', led by the European Travel Commission. ECTN is also a partner in the 'New European Bauhaus', a member of the 'Climate Heritage Network' and a signatory of the UNWTO 'Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism'.

ECTN aims to achieve a high level of collaboration between Members in the field of Cultural Tourism and to establish a close cooperation with the institutions of the European Union and other international organizations, networks and public institutions worldwide.

ECTN mission is to bring together the tourism and cultural industry professionals working in different regions of Europe to exchange experience and information on best practice and to develop new approaches and innovations. The current presidency of ECTN is Pafos, a European Capital of Smart Tourism 2023.

ECTN's activities are according to the ECTN 'Charter for Sustainable Cultural Tourism', which was first proposed in 2014 with updates in 2016 and 2018 (the latter as a contribution by ECTN to the European Year of Cultural Heritage). This Charter is a statement of principles on regional policies and strategies which guide the
development, planning, management, operations and promotion of cultural and heritage tourism in the European Union and beyond, for the benefit of destinations, host communities, businesses, citizens and visitors. The Charter provides the basis for developing appropriate tourism strategies at all levels, which considers economic, environmental and social sustainability of tourism linked to culture, heritage and creativity.
It also provides guidance or best practices for tourism strategy development. 

There is a need to update the Charter given that several important developments took place in the past 5 years, including the post-pandemic relaunching of European tourism. Moreover, the digital transition has to be fully incorporated, as well as skills, resilience and governance. The Transition Pathway for Tourism provides a very sound and highly relevant basis for a major updating of the ECTN Charter. Other developments that need to be included are the European Tourism Manifesto, the European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative and resulting experience and best practices, the New European Bauhaus, the European Heritage Alliance Europe Day Manifesto (action on experiencing Europe), the Europa Nostra Venice and Prague Declarations, the Climate Heritage Network Manifesto, the UNWTO Smart Destinations initiative and Global Tourism Innovation Forum results, etc.

The Transition Pathway for Tourism provides a very sound and highly relevant basis for a major updating of the ECTN Charter. Other developments that need to be included are the European Tourism Manifesto, the European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative and resulting experience and best practices, the New European Bauhaus, the European Heritage Alliance Europe Day Manifesto (action on experiencing Europe), the Europa Nostra Venice and Prague Declarations, the Climate Heritage Network Manifesto, the UNWTO Smart Destinations initiative and Global Tourism Innovation Forum results, etc.

The target for the launch of the updated and extended Charter is October 2024.