Quality Network on Sustainable Tourism PLUS
The QNeST PLUS project intends to further disseminate the results achieved by the QNeST project, financed as part of the ADRION 1st call for proposals. By creating a common brand, it has supported strong cooperation among policy makers and tourism operators in the Adriatic-Ionian (AI) region with the aim of identifying and launching common cultural routes deemed important to the area. The main objectives of QNeST Plus are the promotion of highly experiential tourism, able to properly fulfil the potential of Adriatic – Ionian cultural heritage via the creation of sustainable quality products. To achieve this aim, the project will reinforce the promotion of the following four routes: Wine and Olive Oil Routes, based on agricultural traditions; Routes of Merchants, Pilgrims and Travellers, with a historic character; Stone Routes, connected to landscape features and cultural and artistic heritage; and Water Routes, based on natural assets. The focus will be on specific topics considered valuable for effectively supporting quality sustainable tourism:
-the ability to preserve and properly exploit intangible cultural heritage, with particular reference to traditional crafts;
-the capacity to protect environmental assets and adapt them sustainably for economic purposes;
-promotional activities linked to the Mediterranean Diet (in particular the production processes associated with olive oil and wine);
-the provision of local and transnational services in the context of seasonally adjusted tourism in coastal and inland areas;
-networking and the uptake of innovation.
In addition, the QNeST Plus project will also encourage partnership and cooperation among contiguous EUSAIR regions in order to create an integrated regional tourism system. In order to reinforce the QNeST network and routes and to improve the “edutainment” experience for tourists, the QNeST platform, a strategic IT tool with which to reach the widest possible audience for the created brand, will be upgraded and updated.
Meetings, international events, videos and training material are also planned. As part of these events, special attention will be paid to raising awareness among regional stakeholders regarding sustainable tourism issues and the role played by European regional cooperation in launching natural and cultural heritage routes in the AI region as an engine for post Covid-19 sustainable tourism regeneration.