UNISCAPE En Route SEMINAR

The European Pilgrimage Routes for promoting sustainable and quality tourism in rural areas

4-6 December 2014, FLORENCE - Italy

CALL FOR PAPER

The Council of Europe, along with the European Institute of Cultural Routes, has taken an important step to support and to obtain official recognition that, since 1987, first with the Camino de Santiago de Compostela and then with the Via Francigena, has given impetus to a strong growth throughout Europe, at national and regional level, of different cultural and tourist routes based on the theme of pilgrimage and spirituality. The pilgrimage routes are created in order to protect cultural and social aspects of today's society and, at the same time, to promote sustainable tourism and quality in Europe, particularly in rural areas and less known destinations.
Over twenty five years on, this conference invites scholars, researchers, public and private actors in the sector, tour operators, associations and more, to a moment of reflection and sharing to examine the heritage of these routes, and in particular pilgrimage routes, often coinciding with ancient European thoroughfares. The themes proposed to participants are culture and society, landscape, rural, multi-functionality, quality of life, rural tourism, including economic sustainability and methods for promoting tourism, with a view to sustainable local and international development.

More information is available at this website:

http://www.epr2014.unifi.it/mdswitch.html?newlang=ita