On 22 June, Mr. Stefano Dominioni, EPA Executive Secretary and EICR Director, participated in the EU Reflection Group online meeting organised by the ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia.

The Reflection Group “Cultural Heritage and the EU”, composed of national heritage authorities from EU member States met online, together with observers from the European Commission, the Council of Europe, UNESCO as well as civil society organisations. The Group discussed the latest developments on cultural heritage policies and projects in Europe and the upcoming Slovenian and French Presidencies.

Mr. Dominioni presented the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme, outlined the impacts of the global pandemic on tourism and showed current challenges and solutions implemented by the Cultural Routes programme. Moreover, he pointed out new trends in traveller behaviour, such as an increased interest in domestic tourism and nature trails and stressed the increasing relevance of Cultural Routes in the post-pandemic scenario as well as their potential for the development of sustainable tourism.

The Reflection Group meeting was an excellent opportunity to strengthen the dialogue and discuss potential cooperation among all the participating actors active in the field of cultural heritage.