European Institute Luxembourg
The European Institute of Cultural Routes in Luxembourg, operative branch of the Council of Europe, has been engaged since 1998 in the valorisation of the historic, cultural, artistic and religious elements shared by the communities of European countries.
The European Institute’s promotional activity is based on the fact that, about twenty years ago, tourism discovered – or rather rediscovered (for the Grand Tour was very fashionable in the nineteenth century) – a new trend in the practice of “cultural tourism”, now one of the most popular at international level. A guideline - founded on principles of sustainability and environmental compatibility - which tends, at least partially, to replace the so-called “mass tourism” phenomenon.
Thanks to the contribution of the Itineraries, the great Culture that Europe possesses aims to play a significant role in the delicate phase of consolidating the European system and its coordinated development.
LUXEMBOURG - Sede dell’Institut Européen des Itineraires Culturels
The tool of the “journey”
The best tool for boosting personal and collective knowledge, identified by the Council of Europe and promoted by the Institute, is the “Journey”.
“Journey” understood in the physical and intellectual sense, which favours the free circulation of ideas and offers individuals the enriching possibility of getting to know the cultures and traditions of other European peoples and recognising the common roots that have influenced historical events in several countries; roots that form the basis for seeking new points of understanding to increase reciprocal knowledge and promote cooperation and cultural and economic development in Europe.
Fundamental aim
Fundamental objective of the European routes is to elevate the quality of the by considering it also for its intrinsic value as an instrument of personal growth and stimulation for a balanced and conscious development of the ecosystem and of human society.
Cultural tourism
This particular (and polyvalent) tourism segment allows the valorisation of the heritage of history, traditions and art of a Territory and, if suitably promoted, enhances the Territory itself by promoting its identity and offering it a competitive advantage compared with other destinations as well as important positive effects on its whole social and economic system.
Sustainable and responsible tourism
This section includes other important documents, drawn up - on the theme of sustainable, responsible and ethical tourism - by national, European and worldwide institutions (e.g.: UNWTO-United Nations World Tourism Organization).
From the general guidelines drawn up at international level, a series of conditions emerge on the theme of sustainable and responsible tourism that are fully acknowledged by the Longobardia System applied to the Route “Longobard Ways across Europe”. These are:
- respect and safeguarding of the environment, of the ecosystem, of biodiversity;
- reduction of the environmental impact of structures and activities linked to tourism;
- respect and safeguarding of traditional culture and of local populations;
- informed consent and active participation of the populations in activities for tourism purposes;
- spread of the social and economic benefits derived from tourism activities.
Religious tourism
The particular nature of the Route "Longobard Ways across Europe" refers also to places linked with popular religious feeling (burial areas, churches, monasteries, convents), promoted by Longobard civilization during its history. Due to the intimate and spiritual nature of these points of interest, the documents of general guidelines in this section will be provided by the competent authorities to ensure the respect of the rules of access to places of faith and worship.
