Future of Our Past

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Project in brief The extraordinary cultural heritage in the Mediterranean Basin with its fascinating cities rich in history, art, culture and traditions, offers an interesting background for the growth of tourism. Despite the leading role played by this sector, the model of governance developed in the area to date has mostly been focused on coastal resources while important historical centres situated in the inner territories still lack valorisation. Strengthening and qualifying the potential of the involved areas and increasing their exploitation is the challenge that F.O.P project aims to address by means of a model focused on innovative tourism plans for cultural and environmental heritage. Some selected sites in Italy (Lazio, Basilicata, Campania), Egypt (Alexandria), Spain (Córdoba), Malta (La Valletta), Palestine (Bethlehem), Tunisia (Monastir) and Lebanon (Beirut), will thus become part of a cross-border network of historical centers in order to mutually strengthen their visibility in the tourism sector. Through the enhancement of these centres, touristic diversification and deseasonalization, and the positioning on broader market segments, the concerned local economies will be boosted and further developed. In addition, a widespread hospitality* will also be implemented in Palestine and Egypt in order to stimulate tourism in specific locations with new itineraries including old towns which, despite their value, have never been fully exploited. Specific objective Developing a cross-border planning model of sustainable tourism for local communities based on: • the definition of new and more effective strategies for the tourist valorization of selected historical centers • the training of local and national actors and authorities • the creation of a network among Mediterranean historical centers

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