Main features

The POR Emilia-Romagna ERDF is the strategic and operative document for the use of funds allocated to the Region by the ERDF. Being one of the main investment instruments within the framework of the Cohesion Policy, it works to strengthen the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the EU and correct imbalances between its regions. 

Ongoing projects are focusing on the leverages for the touristic valorisation of Emilia-Romagna sites and heritage, with specific regard to the following initiatives:

• Digitalisation to reinforce sustainability and innovation in touristic destinations;
• Slow Itineraries for peripheral areas;
• Accessibility of cultural destinations for people with disabilities.
• Implementation of a “touristic ecosystem 4.0” built on Big Data and AI, for the benefit of the touristic sector of the Region. This supports the Data Valley Strategy set out in 2015 (Regional Law n. 7/2019 “Investments on Big Data, AI, Meteorology and Climate change”).

Challenges

The ERDF 2021-27 Programme launches some challenges that are directly connected with the project. The measure addressed in the framework of the project JEWELS TOUR falls under Policy Objective 1 "A Smarter Europe" Priority 1 - Research Innovation and competitiveness - Specific Objective 1.2 "To enable citizens, businesses, research organizations and public authorities to reap the benefits of digitization”.

The Programme, in line with the Recommendation 2021/1970 on the European Common Data Space for CH and in relation with the COM(2020) 66final on EU strategy for data, foresees the empowerment of digital tools to access CH in the region. 

Expected policy improvement

The revision of the Policy Instrument will contribute to the development of a digital ecosystem to widen knowledge and use of cultural heritage through digital humanities, allowing policymakers to addrees their actions towards:

• Digitalisation of Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Tourism;
• New forms of valorisation and fruition of digital  JCH contents;
• New forms of monitoring and management, participation, and audience development.

Main features

The Lublin City Tourism Development Strategy was adopted in 2013 by the Lublin City Council. The Strategy contains a description of the state of play of tourism in Lublin and a vision for its future development.  

The strategy indicates 5 thematic areas, whose development should lead to an increase in the importance of Lublin on the tourist map of Poland and Europe. The areas are:

• Lublin Open Culture
• Jagiellonian Lublin
• Jewish Lublin
• Business Tourism Lublin
• Flavours of Lublin.

The first objective of the strategy is to create, implement and develop competitive tourism products whose potential stems directly from the identity and history of the city of Lublin. The operational goal is to create product partnerships for the implementation and development of individual brand products.

Opportunities

Building on the Jewels Tour project’s results, Lublin will gain the opportunity to tailor the strategy implementation tools to the needs of visitors and stakeholders. Thanks to good practices sharing with other project participants and knowledge exchange with experts and academic advisors involved in the project, the cultural ecosystem of the city will be able to apply the best available working methods and more easily avoid potential mistakes.

Expected policy improvement
The City of Lublin is planning to update its Tourism Development Strategy in 2025 for the next programming period. Participation in the project is a perfect opportunity to prepare a reliable and effective revision of the Policy Instrument and to implement solutions developed jointly during the project in the ongoing strategical framework.

Main features

The Plano Regional de Desenvolvimento Turístico (Regional Plan for Tourism Development) is a strategic plan with a time frame of 10 years (2020 – 2030). The Plan identifies 5 main drivers to improve the tourist flows:

• qualifying and valuing all players in the value chain of Tourism sector;
• promoting integrated, sustained and cohesive development of the territory;
• structuring, qualifying, consolidating and transversally diversifying the quality of the offer;
• contributing to developing and strengthening the reputation/brand of the Region;
• boosting tourists’ investment in the Region and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.

Challenges/Opportunities

The challenge regarding Jewish heritage in Central Portugal, both in a cultural and religious perspective, is to broaden its promotion and improve its placement as a touristic product, joining the different cities and towns, working as a network and (re)creating the tour regarding this important theme. Participation in the project activities will support efficient ways of implementing the strategy for internationalization and Promotion of JCH in External Markets.

Expected policy improvement

The improvement of the policy instrument might occur through its revision/ update in order to increase the relevance of religious tourism, with a focus on Jewish heritage. An additional improvement of the instrument might be the respect for cultural and religious diversity promoting a more inclusive Europe.

The Strategic Cultural Concept for the capital Erfurt, enacted by the Government of the  Landeshauptstadt, is designed to  balance between preservation and active renewal of creative and community forces. In this regard, the cultural strategy for museum development explicitly outlines the lines of improvement of Jewish Museums, with specific regard to:

• widening their offers and making them more attractive
• improving marketing strategies
• uplifting the overall experience quality
• optimizing buildings’ infrastructure and visibility.

Erfurt's participation in the JEWELS TOUR project will further accelerate these efforts. By joining forces with other European cities, Erfurt can:

1. Expand the scope of the Strategy by including additional sites, such as spaces related to historical Jewish communities, especially in light of the city's UNESCO World Heritage status.
2. Foster a network of Jewish heritage sites by developing partnerships with other cities to create a cohesive and attractive tourism product.
3. Tailor visitor experiences by adapting the strategy to better meet the needs and interests of diverse visitors.
4. Strengthen international cooperation by connecting with other cities and organizations to share knowledge and resources.
5. Improve strategic management by refining the processes for implementing and monitoring the strategy.

By embracing these opportunities, Erfurt can position itself as a leading destination for Jewish cultural heritage and a model for sustainable urban development.

Riga's Development Plan 2022-2027 is a comprehensive roadmap outlining the city's strategic goals for the next few years. This ambitious plan aims to transform Riga into a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive city.

One of the key priorities identified in the plan is tourism and hospitality development. Recognizing the significant cultural and historical value of Jewish heritage, Riga is committed to further developing this sector. A dedicated Action Plan will be created to:

1. Identify and develop new tourism products: This includes creating innovative tours, exhibitions, and cultural events centered around Jewish heritage sites.
2. Enhance visitor experiences: Improve the quality of visitor experiences by upgrading infrastructure, providing informative signage, and offering guided tours.
3. Strengthen cooperation: Foster collaboration between various stakeholders, including local authorities, cultural institutions, and the Jewish community, to ensure a coordinated approach.
4. Promote sustainable tourism: Develop tourism practices that respect the environment and local communities.

Rn addition to the specific focus on Jewish heritage, the Riga Development Plan addresses 6 horizontal themes, which are reflected in several priorities, including:

• Urban competitiveness: Fostering a thriving economy and attracting investment.
• Climate change: Mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts.
• Community engagement: Empowering citizens and promoting social inclusion.
• Regional cooperation: Strengthening ties with neighboring regions.
• Digitalization: Leveraging technology to improve city services and quality of life.

By implementing these initiatives, Riga aims to position itself as a leading destination for cultural tourism, attracting visitors from around the world.

The Lviv region boasts a rich Jewish heritage that has shaped its identity. With numerous historical and architectural monuments, including synagogues, prayer houses, and cemeteries, the region offers a unique opportunity for cultural tourism.

Despite its immense potential, the region faces challenges in preserving and promoting its Jewish heritage. Many historical sites are in need of restoration, and public awareness of Jewish history is limited.

The Lviv region's Tourism Development Program 2021-2025 recognizes the importance of Jewish heritage and includes specific actions to:

1. Preserve and promote Jewish heritage sites: Ensure the long-term preservation of these sites and develop strategies to attract visitors.
2. Create new tourism products: Develop innovative tourism products, such as guided tours, cultural festivals, and educational programs.
3. Improve infrastructure: Enhance infrastructure, including transportation, accommodation, and visitor facilities.
4. Strengthen partnerships: Collaborate with local communities, NGOs, and international organizations to promote Jewish heritage.

The active participation in the Jewels Tour project will allow Lviv to integrate Jewish cultural heritage into the Lviv region’s Tourism Development Program for 2021-2025. A series of hybrid events will be organized to discuss and strategize the preservation of cultural heritage. These events will include representatives from local communities, stakeholders, and experts. The insights from these discussions will inform proposals for developing a joint European cultural route, which will be incorporated into the Tourism Development Program for 2026-2028.

By implementing these initiatives, the Lviv region aims to position itself as a leading destination for cultural tourism, attracting visitors from around the world and contributing to the region's economic and social development.