“Routes4U Grant”: Via Francigena for EUSALP

22nd May 2019

Following the Routes4U call for proposals, six Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe have been awarded the Routes4U grant to implement projects contributing to the EU macro-regional strategies: the Adriatic-Ionian (EUSAIR), the Alpine (EUSALP), the Baltic Sea (EUSBSR) and the Danube Region (EUSDR).
EUSALP has been represented by the Via Francigena Cultural Route, for this reason: It will involve local people to protect and promote through tourism based activities such as signposting and information panels, in line with the EUSALP Action Groups 2 "To increase the economic potential of strategic sectors” and 6 “To preserve and valorise natural resources, including water and cultural resources.

Specific objectives

  1. Increase the awareness of the Via Francigena in EUSALP, both for development of its tourism potential and valorisation of cultural highlights
  2. Increase the number of establishments and services in the region where pilgrims can use discounts and special offers of the official EAVF Pilgrim Passport (user card);
  3. Encourage sustainable economic growth of territories in the region interested in the development of the Via Francigena through inclusion of public and private tourism stakeholders and launch of new territorial policies with the aim of stimulating investments;
  4. Involve SMEs within the Alpine Region;
  5. Strengthen visibility of Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme in the region;
  6. Increase potential of the Via Francigena tourism product in the area, increasing tourism flows in Spring and Autumn;
  7. Increase visibility of the Via Francigena brand;
  8. Increase number of visitors and pilgrims along the aforementioned sections of the Via Francigena in the macro-region.

Activities

  1. Signpost: Install the official signposting of the Via Francigena in Besançon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (F); Champlitte, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (F);Romainmôtier, Canton Vaud (CH) and Aosta, Val d'Aosta Region (IT);
  2. Information signage: Design and install four informative panels at four strategic points on the Via Francigena crossing the Alpine Region (Besancon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comte; Champlitte, Bourgogne-Franche-Comte; Romainmotier, Canton Vaud; Great S. Bernard Pass between Switzerland (Carton Valais) and Italy (Val d’Aosta Region).
  3. Pilgrim passport: Improve the official Pilgrim Passport/ user card by adding specific discounts and offers provided to the user card holders for travelling along EUSALP. The user card will be developed in cooperation with cultural, economic and tourism stakeholders as well as will facilitate the collection of useful data what will allow the creation of a database of hotels, restaurants and services in order to better promote the regional tourism. Moreover, the project will be working on the creation and distribution of two official maps as selected tourism offices within the macro-region.
  4. Tourism packages: Create and promote specific tourist packages dedicated to the discovery of the Via Francigena within the Alpine Region. This action will be carried-out in collaboration with partner tour operators and added to their specific offer related to the Via Francigena.

Other info here