In the context of the INTERREG IVC programme, a good practice is defined as:
- initiative (e.g.methodologies, projects, processes and techniques)
- undertaken in one of the programme’s thematic (Innovation & Environment)
- already proved successful (tangible and measurable results in achieving a specificē objective)
- potential to be transfered to a different geographic areas
Transfer of Good Practices - a practice introduced by one partner that has a concrete and measurable impact on another partner (e.g. through the initiation of a pilot project or through the adoption of a certain methodology by this other partner).
But: Dissemination of good practices or the intention of a partner to adopt a new practice is not sufficient to consider the practice as transferred.
CHARTS 12 GOOD PRACTICIES:
- Cultural tourism destinations and climate change Risk assessment
- Adaptation and mitigation measures and priorities
- Protection of cultural assests from related risks and setting up monitoring measures
- 'Greening' of visitor experience
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by sustainable travel choices
- Improving intellectual and physical accessibility to the heritage
- Accessibility for persons with disabilities and disadvantaged social groups, Accessible Tourism
- Interpretation and signing of cultural assets
- Promotion of all means of access to heritage, including virtual and tangible
- Making the heritage environment, products and communication more available and accessible for all at least cost
- Building effective partnerships at the destination level between cultural and tourism sectors, as well as between local government authorities
- Improving the offer and developing innovative pilot projects that encourage visitors to stay longer and engage with local culture and heritage
- Involving all stakeholders from the public , private and voluntary sectors and all tourism-related providers for sustainable tourism development
- Interregional and transnational cooperation and networking
4. HOST COMMUNITIES and RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
- Engaging with host communities of tourism destinations
- Fostering civic pride, awareness and welcome
- Developing a resource within the community
- Maximising local benefits and minimising negative impacts
- Ensuring mutual respect between tourists and residents
- European Capital of Culture experiences, impacts and plans
- Promoting commitment to "Responsible Tourism", with ethical concerns, equality, long-term vision, certification and award schemes
- Development of quality criteria for cultural and heritage tourism destinations to measure performance in terms of tourism sustainability
- Contributing to "European Tourism Quality Label" initiative of European Commission
- Support to European Tourism Indicator System for Sustainable Destination Management
- Pilot implementation of "European Heritage Label" proposals
- Enhanced information to Visitors through Visitor Info Centres and InfoKiosks
- ICT applications, DVD video documentaries, Multimedia production
- New Media tools, Virtual Reality, 3D animation, Creativity
- Innovations through Social Media, Networking and Web Applications
- Information on conserving natural and cultural heritage and diversity
- Place Marketing Innovative Strategies based on cultural heritage, local distinctiveness and regional identity
- Branding procedures with culture and heritage synergies
- Marketing actions for all year round sustainable and cultural tourism development
- Cultural Routes – according to Council of Europe / European Institute of Cultural Routes
- Preparatory actions for creation and designation of Cultural Routes
- Development and promotional strategies of Cultural Routes
- Impacts on inter-cultural dialogue, creativity, innovation and competitiveness
- Contributin to initiatives for supporting transnational tourism products
- Railway Heritage Preservation and Promotion for Cultural Tourism
- Promoting Industrial Heritage of Steam Railways
- Twinning arrangements between legendary heritage railways
- Promotion of "Riga Charter" for conservation, restoration, maintenance and repair of historic railway equipment
10. LOCAL PRODUCTS & GASTRONOMY
- Promotion of local products with denomination of origin
- Increasing awareness about local cuisine and traditional recipes
- Healthy diet for visitors and creative cuisine
- Local identity through eno-gastronomy and culinary practices intangible heritage
11. TRADITIONAL SKILLS and TRADES
- Preservation of traditional skills and trades that are becoming extinct (e.g. maritime professions, horse shoe maker, saddle maker, ironsmith, mansory)
- Promotion of the traditional skills and trades procedures as events as tourists attractions
- Intangible cultural heritage of handicrafts and traditional craftmanship
- Promotion of Cycling in cultural tourism destinations for sustainable mobility
- Communal, shared bike schemes for tourists and visitors
- Cycle trails as cultural tourism attractions
- Cycling tourism as sustainable, environmentally friendly tourism
- Combination of cycling with other sustainable means of leisure mobility (horse riding, hiking, trekking)