News
09 October 2025
Addressing the knowledge and funding gaps in rural cultural and creative tourism
News
09 October 2025
Cultural tourism
Rural tourism
Best practices, peer learning and networking
+28 more
Login / create an account to be able to react
-
23
A new article by the Crocus - Horizon Europe project related to rural tourism, examines the challenges of research, innovation, and funding in promoting sustainable cultural and creative tourism in Europe’s rural areas. The piece identifies critical gaps in evidence, policy integration and resource allocation, and calls for action to strengthen support systems. The full article offers a deeper analysis and case references.
Crocus project
Crocus project
Topics
EU-27
Destination Management & Marketing Organisations
Local Authorities
NGOs / Non-profits
Regional Authorities
-
Specific types of tourism
-
-
Cultural tourism
-
Rural tourism
-
-
Transition Pathway Strategic Areas
-
-
Best practices, peer learning and networking
-
Governance of tourism destinations
-
Well-being of residents
-
-
Business activities
-
-
Activities of amusement parks and theme parks
-
Activities of associations and other organisations supporting tourism
-
Air passenger transport
-
Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks
-
Events catering and other food services
-
Festivals, cultural and entertainment activities
-
Gardens and nature reserves activities
-
Holiday Housing / Apartments and other short stay accommodation
-
Hotel and similar accommodation
-
Mobile beverage services
-
Mobile food services
-
Museums
-
Operation of historical sites
-
Other
-
Other accommodation
-
Other amusement and recreation activities
-
Other food and beverage services
-
Other holiday reservation services
-
Other tourism transportation activities
-
Rail Passenger transport
-
Recreational and sport activities
-
Restaurants, cafes and bars (Food and Beverage serving activities)
-
Road passenger transport
-
Tour operator activities
-
Travel agency activities
-
Water (sea, coastal and inland) passenger transport
-
Share
Rural regions across Europe hold vast potential for cultural and creative tourism, with their traditions, crafts, landscapes and heritage assets forming an essential part of Europe’s identity. Yet these regions often struggle to realise that potential due to missing links between research, innovation policies and funding opportunities. The article from Crocus Europe explores how these gaps affect the sustainability and competitiveness of rural tourism initiatives.
A central challenge identified is the lack of systematic research on rural cultural tourism. Without reliable data, it becomes difficult for decision-makers to measure impact, allocate resources or advocate for tailored support. Rural areas are often excluded from broader innovation and tourism strategies, leaving them underrepresented in key policy frameworks.
The article also points to policy fragmentation between the tourism, culture, innovation and rural development sectors. The absence of integrated strategies means that many rural destinations face difficulties in accessing coordinated support or long-term funding. Small cultural and creative enterprises, in particular, face obstacles in meeting the administrative and financial requirements needed to secure grants or EU funding.
To address these challenges, the piece suggests building stronger rural tourism research networks, creating targeted funding mechanisms, and integrating tourism into innovation and rural development agendas. Supporting local actors through training and knowledge exchange is also seen as essential for ensuring that creative initiatives are sustainable and resilient.
By combining evidence-based policymaking with inclusive funding models, Europe’s rural regions can transform cultural and creative tourism into a driver of innovation, sustainability and local pride. For full insights and recommendations, the article can be read in detail on the Crocus Europe website: https://crocuseurope.eu/news/knowledge-gaps-and-funding-gaps-developing-research-and-innovation-policies-for-sustainable-cultural-and-creative-tourism-in-europes-rural-areas/
#Sustainable tourism #Projects #Rural tourism #Cultural tourism
Comments (0)
Related content
See also
Sign-up for the Sustainable EU Tourism Twinning Workshop
- Categories
- Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism Cultural tourism Ecotourism +64 more
Upcoming Webinar 24 April 2025 "Better together: Improving tourism through a collaborative approach to effective governance"
- Categories
- Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism Cultural tourism Ecotourism +46 more
Join the Discussion Forum and shape the Future of Tourism ecosystem
- Categories
- Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism Cultural tourism Ecotourism +64 more