Based on the results of the CREATOUR project - “Developing Creative Tourism Destinations in Small Cities and Rural Areas” (2016-2020) coordinated by the Center for Social Studies (CES) of the University of Coimbra, the publication Creative Tourism: Guide for Professionals. How to regenerate communities and places combining culture, tourism and creativity? aims to enlighten and guide professionals in the cultural and creative sector and in the tourism sector who develop or intend to develop creative tourism projects based on collaborative practices, particularly in rural areas and small cities.

In addition to a framework, contributions and potential for creative tourism, it presents some examples of creative tourism in Portugal, based on the pilot activities developed under CREATOUR; examples of some good international practices; as well as key factors and recommendations for developing a creative tourism product.

A document on Policy Recommendations for the development of creative tourism in small cities and rural areas was also launched, which, aiming at concrete policies in this area, proposes recommendations to authorities and bodies at all levels (national, regional and local). Both documents are available online.
 

The CREATOUR project - “Developing Creative Tourism Destinations in Small Cities and Rural Areas” was a multidisciplinary research project based on a theoretical-practical approach to collaborative processes, which aimed to contribute to the development of a sustainable creative tourism sector, in small cities and rural areas in four regions of Portugal: Norte, Centro, Alentejo and Algarve.

Within the scope of this project, the documentary «creatour.pt - creative tourism in Portugal» was also awarded with seven awards at tourism festivals, both nationally and internationally, highlighting the ART&TUR Viseu 2020 - International Tourism Film Festival, which took place in Viseu between 20 and 23 October, where it won 1st Prize in three categories: «Sustainable and Responsible Tourism», «Best Documentary (up to 90')» and «Best National Documentary». The documentary can be viewed in full on the CES YouTube channel.

Coordinated by the Center for Social Studies (CES) of the University of Coimbra, the CREATOUR project had as partners CIDEHUS of the University of Évora, CIEO of the University of Algarve, DINÂMIA'CET-IUL of ISCTE-IUL, and Lab2PT of the University of Minho. It was funded by the Program of Joint Activities (PAC) of Portugal 2020, through COMPETE 2020, POR Lisbon, POR Algarve and the Foundation for Science and Technology.