Welcome

Region Västra Götaland welcomes You to the third annual conference of European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN). The conference will bring together a wide range of participants from all over Europe, with a mutual interest in issues about cultural tourism. It is also a great opportunity to establish international contacts within the field of cultural tourism in Europe.

"Travel and cultural tourism in particular has a vital role to play in fostering both a greater understanding of the rich diversity of regional cultures of Europe and appreciation of our common European heritage and culture. Through increasing a better understanding between the peoples of Europe cultural tourism can help further European integration. Furthermore, cultural tourism brings about economic benefits, as is indicated in the European Commission Communication on Basic Orientations on Sustainable Tourism."

From the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) Cardiff Declaration on Cultural Tourism, July 2005

The conference will focus on the ways in which cultural tourism can support the sustainable economic development, foster mutual understanding of cultural diversity between nations and cultures of Europe. It will prepare issues and challenges for a joint meeting between the Committee of the Regions, the Economic and Social Committee and the European Union Parliament of 2007. The aim of the conference is to assemble professionals in culture and tourism to exchange experience and move the issue of cultural tourism forward on the European agenda. Discussions will concentrate on how future development of cultural tourism can be strengthened in Europe.

Follow this link to read more about Region Västra Götalands initiatives in cultural tourism.

The conference is organised by Region Västra Götaland (www.vgregion.se) and will be held at Hotel 11 (www.hotel11.se), the Conference Centre, Göteborg, Sweden.