Event

4th Regional Workshop for Europe on the Role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites - Tourism Sustainability and Visitors Management

Visitor Centres can play an important role in the management of UNESCO designated sites (including World Heritage properties, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks), by promoting sustainability, supporting visitor management, improving the interaction between visitors and local stakeholders, and collecting visitors’ data and information on their needs, expectations and site visit experience.

7 November 2022 - 9 November 2022

Event

4th Regional Workshop for Europe on the Role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites - Tourism Sustainability and Visitors Management

7 November 2022 - 10:00 am - 9 November 2022 - 6:00 pm

Location

Buzau, Romania

Rooms :

Buzau, Romania

Type :

Cat VII – Seminar and training

Arrangement type :

In-Person

Contact :

Matteo ROSATI

The series of regional workshops on the role of visitor centres in UNESCO designated sites, launched by UNESCO through its Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe in 2018, recognises their potential as active promoters of the sites within an integrated management approach based on multi-stakeholder participation, sustainable development concerns and the needs of local communities.

Following the previous editions with thematic focuses on heritage interpretation, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and community engagement, the 4^th regional workshop for Europe will explore how such centres can improve tourism management and sustainability by providing useful indications to existing and future centres.

In particular, this year’s edition will aim to:

increase participants’ awareness and capacities of the subject, inspiring follow-up action at the respective sites
provide an opportunity for peer exchange, networking and cooperation
produce advice and recommendations for a broader audience across relevant UNESCO networks
reinforce the alignment between site management objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Agenda 2030

Methodology

The workshop includes a mix of presentations and structured free discussions, introduced and facilitated by local and international experts, accompanied by field visits and meetings with local actors.

Participants

About 30 professionals representing visitor centres from UNESCO-designated sites in Europe, selected through a call for applications, together with local partners and stakeholders, UNESCO staff and other experts.

Organisers

The workshop is organised by UNESCO through its Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe and hosted by the Buzău County Council in collaboration with the Buzău Land UNESCO Global Geopark, the University of Bucharest - Hateg Country UNESCO Global Geopark, and the Romanian National Commission for UNESCO.

The organisation of the workshop is made possible thanks to the annual contribution of Italy to the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe.