Building a Regional Network Across Culture

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Building a Regional Network Across Culture This project is funded by the European Union tourism development & promotion project Building a Regional Network Across Culture GRANT FACT SHEET GOAL INTRODUCTION Development and promotion of a new cultural The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) imple- route building on traditional lifestyle, songs mented and European Union (EU) funded Tour- and dances, verbal history, myths and legends, ism Development and Promotion Project worth and authentic rituals, cuisine and handcrafts EUR 5 million works to develop and interna- maintained in remote villages in the cross- tionally promote joint regional cultural and border region of the Accursed Mountains. adventure tourism offer, increase number of tourists visiting the six Western Balkans econ- Location omies (WB6), lengthen their stay in the region, Albania, Kosovo*, Montenegro (Bjeshkët e increase revenues and employment in the in- nemuna/Prokletije – Accursed Mountains) dustry, and remove policy barriers to further Action value development of tourism. EUR 49,000.00 (EU/RCC grant: EUR 44,000.00) The Project utilises EUR 1.62 million grants scheme to help improve quality of services and Category infrastructure along the selected routes. The Cultural tourism first 12 out of 30 + grants – worth up to EUR 54,000 each – were awarded in November 2018. Lead applicant Institute of Public and Private Policies (IPPP) is Institute of Public and Private Policies - IPPP amongst the first twelve grant recipients. Implementation period November 2018 – June 2019 (7 months) * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence. DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION for the route which is to be launched through the action (Accursed CulTour). Current situation Regional promotion of the new route will be- Accursed Mountains is a 3,000 km2-large gin with a kick-off conference for tourism and mountain range extending through Alba- culture agencies and the media, among oth- nia, Kosovo* and Montenegro. This remote ers, and will further include interviews and cross-border region is characterised by for- appearances in electronic and print media. ests, pastures and severe natural conditions all of which shaped the common culture of In addition, a training course on the itiner- mountain communities in those three econ- aries, tangible and intangible heritage and omies. Their deeply rooted traditional life- storytelling will be held for guides and tour style and heritage which includes myths and operators to enable them to proactively pro- legends, rituals, traditional songs and danc- mote the new route and guide tourists. At- es, music instruments, cuisine, handcrafts, tention will also be paid to the green-border architecture and religious monuments re- crossings procedures. mained authentic and resilient to modernity. Results and sustainability The region is lately gaining recognition as Sustainability of the newly developed and pro- an attractive adventure tourism destination moted cross-border cultural route will build but its unique potential in cultural tourism on the close involvement of the key stake- remains untapped and as a result the region holders. Local community representatives are is not prospering while negative population the holders of the intangible cultural heritage trends continue. – stories, myths and legends – as well as ser- Actions to be performed through grant vice providers (accommodation, gastronomy, hospitality, local experience); tour operators To begin valorising on the rich cultural her- and guides are the intermediaries between itage and contributing to the wellbeing of the local communities and tourists; while the local communities in the Accursed Mountains governments provide for the maintenance the Institute of Public and Private Policies (Al- and regulation of the route. bania), in cooperation with association Mari- mangat from Kosovo*, and Alpet Shqiptare The action implemented through the grant – Albanian Alps – Albanske alpe from Montene- will develop the product and promotion plat- gro will develop and promote a new cultural form both of which will be sustained follow- tourism route through the region focusing on ing the action implementation by local tour the authentic lifestyle and cultural heritage operators and guides. scattered along the mountain chain. Due to its nature, apart from harsh winter Their activities include researching, docu- conditions, the route will not be greatly af- menting, mapping (GPS) and developing a fected by seasonality of tourism offer thus cultural itinerary along, and in access to, catering to a steady inflow of tourist and rev- the existing hiking trails across the Accursed enues. Mountains. The preparatory work entails field visits and interviews with villagers, local businesses, tour guides and tourism experts and will lead to the creation of a database of attractions and tangible and intangible her- itage, accommodation facilities, shops (also offering handicraft items), bars and restau- rants, as well as the creation of an annu- al calendar of traditional celebrations and CONTACTS events organised by locals. Institute of Public and Private Policies Itinerary and the information gathered will be Donika Kastrioti 14, 1000 Tirana, Albania utilised in the development and implemen- +355 (0)4 22 53 671 tation of a promotional campaign that will [email protected], www.institutip3.com include a dedicated web site, downloadable and trackable map of itineraries, brochure, RCC Tourism Development and Promotion five-minute promotional video and social me- Project dia channels. The promotional activities will [email protected], www.rcc.int/tourism be delivered under a newly developed brand .
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