On 27 March 2026, a meeting under the DanubeCrafts project (“The Crafts Route”) was held in Vratsa, organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vratsa within the framework of the Interreg Danube Region Programme (DRP) 2021–2027.
The main focus of the meeting was a presentation on cultural heritage and its role as a key resource for the sustainable development of tourism in the region. The event brought together representatives of local authorities, businesses, cultural and educational institutions, as well as active members of local communities.
During the presentation, various aspects of cultural heritage—both tangible and intangible—were explored, highlighting its potential to create authentic tourism experiences. Particular attention was given to the opportunities for integrating traditional crafts into modern tourism products, as well as the need for their more effective promotion through innovative approaches and digital tools.
The discussion session encouraged an active exchange of ideas among participants, including concrete regional examples, opportunities to build on existing initiatives, and potential partnerships. Participants emphasised the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation for the preservation and sustainable use of cultural heritage.
The meeting contributed to a better understanding of local potential and outlined concrete directions for future actions within the project, including the development of new tourism products based on local identity and traditions.
The DanubeCrafts project brings together 18 organisations from 12 countries in Central and South-Eastern Europe, with the common goal of supporting the sustainable development of cultural tourism through the preservation and modern promotion of traditional crafts. The project duration is from 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2027.
