The growing importance of cultural routes and slow tourism will be the focus of an upcoming webinar organised within the RURALITIES project, an initiative exploring new opportunities for sustainable tourism in rural and cultural landscapes. The event, coordinated by GAL Montagna Vicentina and Fondazione Homo Viator, will bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss how trails, itineraries and cycling routes can support local development while preserving cultural heritage.

The webinar, titled “Sustainable Cultural Tourism — Opportunities and Challenges of Trails, Itineraries, and Cycle Routes,” will examine how these tourism models contribute to balanced destination management, heritage conservation and sustainable visitor experiences. Cultural routes and cycling corridors are increasingly recognised across Europe as key tools for promoting slow travel, strengthening rural economies and encouraging visitors to explore lesser-known regions.

The keynote presentation will be delivered by Dr Maria Laura Gasparini from CAST – University of Bologna, an expert in transnational itineraries and territorial governance. Her presentation will highlight global trends and best practices in managing cultural routes and multi-regional tourism networks. Participants will gain insights into how destinations can leverage trails and itineraries to create meaningful visitor experiences while supporting local communities and cultural identity.

The session will also present case studies from Italy and other European regions, demonstrating how cultural tourism routes can drive innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth. Participants will learn about practical management models, governance structures and strategies that help destinations integrate tourism with heritage preservation and regional planning.

For European tourism, initiatives such as this webinar are particularly relevant. Cultural routes and cycle networks are increasingly central to sustainable tourism strategies across the EU, supporting climate-friendly mobility, experiential travel and cross-border cooperation. They also align with broader European priorities in rural development, cultural preservation, and regenerative tourism.

The webinar offers an opportunity for policymakers, tourism professionals, researchers, and cultural stakeholders to exchange ideas and learn from leading experts in sustainable cultural tourism.

Event details:
Date: 25 March 2026
Time: 10:30 CET
Format: Online webinar
Language: Italian

Participants are encouraged to register in advance to receive the access link and take part in the discussion.

Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxhTrrkz5qNGLevirqyeNj0rXwDYNzzmtnAGslk2cMNZAXdw/viewform 

#Cultural Preservation  #Cycling Tourism #Slow Travel #Sustainable Tourism #Tourism Development