European Tourism Day, Brussels 27 September 2010

27 September 2010, Brussels (Charlemagne Building – Room GASP)

The 2010 European Tourism Day event will be entitled "The role of Cultural Heritage in the renewed European tourism policy" and will be held on 27 September 2010, on the occasion of World Tourism Day.



27 September 2010 - Brussels, BELGIUM
The European Tourism Day will take place on 27 September 2010 in Brussels (Charlemagne Building - Room GASP).

Leader projects, policy officers, local and regional authorities, universities and other actors involved in tourism will participate to the event, that will be mainly devoted to the promotion and valorisation of European citizenship and cultural and historical heritage.

In line with new communication "Europe, the world's No 1 tourist destination – a new political framework for tourism in Europe" adopted on the 30th June 2010, where the need of promoting cultural itineraries is specifically mentioned (see Communication - pages 7-8), a particular focus will be given to "European Cultural Routes".

A draft programme of the event is annexed. The final version of the programme, together with other practical details and information, will be available so


Room GASP
08:00 – 09:00 Registration
09:00 - 09:30 Official Opening
Address speech by Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou and
Ms. Isabelle Weykmans, Belgian Presidency, Minister for Culture and Tourism
09:30 10:30 Session I
European Cultural Itineraries: a Trans-European Cultural Tourism Model?
Chair: Mr. Hervé Novelli, Minister for Tourism, France tbc
- Mr. Sandro Bondi, Minister for Culture – "The Italian experience of the 'Consulta
Nazionale degli itinerari storici, culturali e religiosi'"
- Ms.Gabriella Battaini Dragoni, Director Council of Europe – "The future of Cultural
Routes: The Council of Europe's perspective"
- Mr. Michel Thomas Penette, Director Cultural Routes Institute – "Cultural Routes of
the Council of Europe: towards a model of quality tourism in Europe"
- Ms. Cristina Scaletti, President of NECSTouR – "The contribution of NECSTouR to
the promotion of the European Cultural Routes"
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 12:10 Session II
How can European Heritage sites and Cultural Routes help to develop new tourism
offer?
Chair: Mr. John Penrose MP, Minister for Tourism, United Kingdom tbc
- Ms. Chrysoula Paliadeli, Member of the European Parliament – "The European
Heritage Label" tbc
- Mr. Stefano Zappalà, Regional Minister Regione Lazio
- Ms. Frances Warrington, Kent head of Tourism tbc
- Mr. Philippe Calamel, Project Director – "The Odyssea Project"
- Mr. Michael Cramer, MEP - “The Iron Curtain Trail”
12:10 – 14:30 Lunch break and Visit to the EDEN stands
14:30 - 16:00 Session III
Case studies: European citizenship and Intercultural Dialogue
Chair: Mr. Miguel Sebastián, Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade, Spain tbc
- Ms. Silvia Costa, Member of the European Parliament
- Mr. Massimo Tedeschi, President of the European Association of “Via Francigena” -
"Via Francigena meets Abram Itinerary"
- Mr. Antoine Selosse, Director Saint Martin Route - "Saint Martin of Tours" and the
European citizenship
- Ms. Inmaculada Lopez, General Coordinator Foundation “El legado Andalusi” -
"The al Andalus Route and the Arab legacy"
- Roberto Varela, Regional Minister of Galicia for Tourism and Culture – “The Saint
James’ Route”
Open Debate
16:00 - 16:30 Coffee break
16:30 – 18:00 Session IV
Case studies: Tourism, Sustainability and Networking
Chair: Mr. José Vieira da Silva, Minister for Economy, Innovation and Development,
Portugal
- Mr. Antonio Cancian, Member of the European Parliament
- Mr. Edouard de Laubrie, Scientific Committee Cultural Foundation The Route of
the Olive Tree – "The route of the olive trees and traditional values"
- Mr. Antonio Barone, Director Phoenician Route - "The Phoenician Route"
- Mr. Christian Corne, President of "The European Historical Thermal Town
Association" (EHTTA) and Deputy Major of Vichy – "The European Thermal Route"
- Rev. Berit Lånke, Manager Nidaros Pilgrimage Center - "The Route of St. Olav
Ways"
Open Debate
18:00 – 18: 20 Conclusions
Conclusions by Mr. Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Mr.
Carlo Fidanza, Member of the European Parliament