Tourism in Balance (TIB) | Interreg Europe Project 2023-2027

In an insightful interview, Dr. Eugenio Van Maanen, senior researcher and lecturer at Breda University of Applied Sciences, highlights how the university is shaping the future of tourism through the TIB project. Click on the link to read the full interview! Tourism | Breda University of Applied Sciences #TourismInBalance #TIB #SustainableTourism #TourismResearch #Collaboration

As shared earlier this week, Dr. Eugenio Van Maanen joined the two-day workshop “Alternative tourism: optimizing social and economic benefits”, organised by Interreg Europe, which offered a deep dive into ethical, slow and creative tourism strategies. The event opened with welcomes from Mirella Balliana (Mayor of Vittorio Veneto), Magda Anagnostou (Interreg Europe JS Team), and Platform Thematic Experts, followed by an introduction to EU policies and projects supporting alternative tourism. Jumana El Tabch (Municipality of Vittorio Veneto) and Alberto Ferri (Local Flavours) showcased how Vittorio Veneto transformed its tourism strategy, integrating cultural and natural assets through initiatives like the Val Lapisina development plan and “Enjoy the Rivers.” Keynotes from Prof. ELENA dell'Agnese (Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca) and Prof. Greg Richards (Breda University of Applied Sciences) highlighted how alternative and creative tourism can foster local development. Group discussions further explored co-creation methodologies, with inspiring examples from Eva Koljera (Āraiši Ezerpils Archaeological Park and Tourism Department, Latvia) and @Zília Tovar (The sky is not the limit: Astrotourism in the Coimbra Region - CIM Região de Coimbra). Cultural immersion included a visit to the Silk Museum, a cooking class featuring traditional dishes, and a cheese and wine tasting. Day two concluded with visits to Sarmede – The Land of Fairy Tales and the Torchiato di Fregona Winery, showcasing storytelling and winemaking as tools for sustainable tourism. This inspiring workshop reinforced the potential of community-driven tourism to balance development and preservation. #TourismInBalance #TIB #AlternativeTourism #Sustainability #CreativeTourism

This week, Dr. Eugenio Van Maanen from Tourism | Breda University of Applied Sciences, lead partner of the project, is joining a two-day workshop organised by Interreg Europe, at the Museo della Battaglia in Vittorio Veneto, Italy. The focus is on alternative tourism - exploring ethical, slow, and creative approaches to make tourism more sustainable and community-driven. Key discussions will be centred on embedding tourism in local cultures and practices, addressing the challenges of mass tourism, and showcasing innovative examples from across Europe. Together, participants will imagine a future where tourism benefits both visitors and host communities alike. Stay tuned for more insights and outcomes from these inspiring two days! #TourismInBalance #TIB #AlternativeTourism #SustainableTourism #CommunityTourism

Stay in the Loop with the Tourism in Balance Newsletter! 📬 Are you passionate about creating sustainable tourism models that benefit residents and visitors? Want to stay updated on expert insights, innovative approaches and the latest developments from our project? Join a growing community dedicated to rethinking tourism for a sustainable future. Let’s work together to make tourism a shared benefit for all! 🔗 Subscribe now: https://lnkd.in/d5WNvQft #TourismInBalance #InterregEurope #TIB #SustainableTourism

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬-𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐫. 𝐁𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐝𝐢𝐞! We had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Bailey Ashton Adie from the University of Oulu in an engaging session that reimagines tourism management from a residents-first perspective. Dr. Adie shared innovative insights on rebalancing tourism, advocating for community-centred policies that prioritise local well-being over sheer visitor numbers. Key takeaways: • Bottom-up planning that empowers communities • Economic diversification to reduce dependency on tourism • Practical improvements in infrastructure to support both residents and visitors Dr. Adie’s approach highlights the need for proactive, community-driven strategies to ensure tourism remains a positive force. A big thank you to Dr. Adie and our participating partners for a meaningful discussion! Interreg Europe Tourism | Breda University of Applied Sciences #TourismInBalance #INTERREG #Overtourism #SustainableTourism

🌍 Empowering sustainable tourism through collaboration We’re thrilled to share insights from our partner, Alina Nicoară, Deputy Director of the Agenția Metropolitană Brașov | Brasov Metropolitan Agency, who recently took part in a productive and inspiring staff exchange in Andalucía as part of our project. We extend gratitude to Junta de Andalucía, and its representatives Natalia García Gareta and José Francisco Benitez, and Daniel Santana Verano and Dolores Mª Frías Jamilena for their invaluable support and expertise which greatly enriched this exchange. We look forward to more opportunities for knowledge sharing and collaboration to continue shaping the future of tourism! #TourisminBalance #TIB #InterregEurope #SustainableTourism #Innovation #Collaboration #TIS2023

As part of our project, we're excited to spotlight the ongoing knowledge exchange between our partners in Andalucía, Spain, and Brașov, Romania. This staff exchange, organised with the support of the Andalucian Ministry of Tourism and Andalucía Acción Exterior, enables both regions to deepen their expertise and strengthen sustainable tourism practices. From October 23-31, the delegation from the Agenția Metropolitană Brașov | Brasov Metropolitan Agency for Sustainable Development is participating in high-impact events like the TIS - Tourism Innovation Summit in Seville, engaging in collaborative discussions with the Seville Chamber Of Commerce on the TOURBO Interreg Europe Project, and joining presentations on smart tourism initiatives at Sevilla City Office. The programme also includes visits to the Andalusian Institute for Research and Innovation in Tourism (IATUR) in Granada and the Public Enterprise for the Management of Tourism and Sport in Andalucía in Málaga. These engagements showcase Andalucía’s leading role in sustainable tourism management, innovative practices and the creation of data-driven solutions that enhance regional tourism intelligence and inform policy decisions. Turismo de Sevilla #TourismInBalance #InterregEurope #SustainableTourism #KnowledgeExchange #PolicyChange #TIB

🌍🏨 Final Day of the Interregional Partner Meeting in Krakow As we conclude our productive days in Krakow, today focused on reflection, collaboration and planning our next steps. We started at the Mercure Kraków Stare Miasto, with a presentation on their Green Key Certification, setting an inspiring tone for sustainable tourism. • Reflection on Tallinn: Led by Simone Moretti (Tourism | Breda University of Applied Sciences), participants shared insights from Tallinn, using post-it sessions to map out next steps. • Country Group Reflections: Moderated by Rami Isaac, each country group reflected on what we’ve learned from the past two days, identifying key takeaways, actionable strategies, and areas where more support is needed. The day concluded with a plenary discussion on group reflections, followed by an ISG project management meeting, where Dr. Eugenio Van Maanen led discussions on future collaboration and project goals. It’s been an enriching experience—now ready to implement what we’ve learned! Interreg Europe | Breda University of Applied Sciences | Tourism | Breda University of Applied Sciences | Urząd Miasta Krakowa | Visit Tallinn | amsterdam&partners | City of Amsterdam | Metropolitan Region Amsterdam | Città metropolitana di Roma Capitale | Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry | Agenția Metropolitană Brașov | Brasov Metropolitan Agency #TourismInBalance #TIB #InterregEurope #SustainableTourism #InterregionalMeeting #Krakow

🌍🚶♀️ Day 2 of the Interregional Partner Meeting in Krakow (01-03 Oct) Another inspiring day of collaboration and innovation here in Krakow! The second Day's sessions focused on crafting tailor-made solutions for tourism and exploring new trends to build stronger synergies between the tourism industry, residents, and visitors. Key highlights: • Małgorzata Przygórska-Skowron from the Kraków Convention Bureau discussed the Kraków Network’s role in building synergy between tourism, residents, and visitors. • Krzysztof Paradowski, MBA presented the KRAKÓW NETWORK initiative, aiming to boost business events in the city. • Hele Lõhmus from Visit Tallinn shared insights on Estonian sustainability certification, providing a valuable model for responsible tourism. Sessions on tourism programmes from Amsterdam (DMO amsterdam&partners) and Małopolska Tourism Destination (Monika Popiołek) sparked lively discussion on destination marketing. In the afternoon: • Rene van Schie shared how European data is driving the Holiday Rental Registration System in Amsterdam. • Martyna Lewandowska from the Kraków Tourism Alliance. highlighted local tourism activities, while Dorian Lungu (Local Gastro) and Oana Coanta (Taste of Transylvania) presented inspiring gastronomic initiatives from Romania. The day concluded with a walking tour, where we explored new tourism products, like Krakowianki, and Krakow's innovative civic budget projects presented by Monika Jagiełło and Mateusz Drożdż. Interreg Europe | Breda University of Applied Sciences | Tourism | Breda University of Applied Sciences | Urząd Miasta Krakowa | Visit Tallinn | amsterdam&partners | City of Amsterdam | Metropolitan Region Amsterdam | Città metropolitana di Roma Capitale | Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry | Agenția Metropolitană Brașov | Brasov Metropolitan Agency #TourismInBalance #TIB #InterregEurope #SustainableTourism #UrbanDevelopment #InterregionalMeeting #Krakow

🌍🚶♂️First Day of the Interregional Partner Meeting in Krakow (01-03 Oct) What a fantastic start to our Interregional Partner Meeting in the beautiful city of Krakow! The day kicked off with an inspiring tour of the Old Town, setting the tone for the conversations ahead. We then dove straight into insightful discussions on sustainable tourism and urban life balance. Highlights included: • Natalia Kulec-Greń presenting Krakow’s Sustainable Tourism Policy (2021-2028). • Robert Pawlusiński, Michał Janaś and Jacek Jordan discussing short-term rental, the "Respect Krakow" initiative, and the night-time economy, respectively. • Anouschka Trauschke leading a hands-on workshop on tourist behaviour and balancing tourism with local life. The day wrapped up with a tour of Kazimierz, Zabłocie, and Wesoła—districts rich in history and undergoing exciting transformations. Stay tuned for an update on the remaining two days of collaboration and learning! Interreg Europe | Breda University of Applied Sciences | Tourism | Breda University of Applied Sciences | Urząd Miasta Krakowa | Visit Tallinn | amsterdam&partners | City of Amsterdam | Metropolitan Region Amsterdam | Città metropolitana di Roma Capitale | Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry | Agenția Metropolitană Brașov | Brasov Metropolitan Agency #TourismInBalance #TIB #InterregEurope #SustainableTourism #UrbanDevelopment #InterregionalMeeting #Krakow