HERITEXP – Heritage Interpretation & Experiential Tourism
Telling places, revealing meanings, living authentic experiences
Invitation to join the national awareness and free training campaign
Awareness campaign and free training.
We are living in a phase of profound evolution: the service economy is giving way to a new experience economy , in which value is measured through emotion, participation and meaning.
In this scenario a new vision of the valorization of Cultural Heritage, inspired by the principles ofHeritage Interpretation.
It is no longer just about providing information, but about accompanying people in a path of discovery and interpretation, capable of creating authentic connections with places, traditions and communities.
This evolution represents a true Experiential and Cultural Transition , which involves tourism, culture, education and the professions of the future.
It is in this context that it was born HERITEXP, the national awareness campaign and free training dedicated to spreading the principles of Experiential Tourism and Heritage Interpretation.
The initiative is aimed at public administrations, tourism districts, LAGs, DMOs, tourism promotion bodies, and cultural and territorial institutions, with the aim of promoting a new approach to enhancing local areas and heritage.
HERITEXP proposes an integrated vision of Experiential Tourism , understood as a broad and multidimensional area that includes cultural, food and wine, nature, wellness and hospitality experiences, and of Heritage Interpretation , which constitutes its deepest and most cultural component, oriented towards understanding and narrating the meanings of heritage.
Through training , awareness-raising and sharing of good practices , HERITEXP promotes the encounter between different forms of experience and the interpretation of heritage, transforming the visit into an experience , information into a story , and the place into a shared meaning.
HERITEXP and the territories: small or large, a single vision for tourism deseasonalization.
The HERITEXP project is particularly relevant for small municipalities, inland areas, and for tourism off-season, as it offers tools and models for transforming widespread heritage and local resources into authentic experiences that can be enjoyed year-round.
However, its strategic value extends to any cultural and territorial entity, large or small. The interpretative and participatory approach proposed by HERITEXP allows for the holistically valorized heritage, integrating the cultural, social, and economic dimensions of the territory.
What does it foresee
- Free training aimed at public bodies, cultural institutions, administrations and tourism operators, to develop skills in the field of Experiential Tourism and Heritage Interpretation.
- Publications and operational tools for the design and management of authentic, cultural, and territorial experiences.
- Awareness raising activities to spread a new culture of hospitality, encouraging the transition from informational tourism to experiential and interpretive tourism.
Recipients of the HERITEXP project
- Public administrations, Tourist Districts, GAL, DMO, Tourist promotion bodies e Institutions of the cultural and territorial system, among which Museums, Ecomuseums, Houses of Memory e Places of Memory.
All the recipients are also: structures and organizations engaged in valorization, understanding, promotion and protection of Cultural Heritage, material and immaterial, which intend expand its function by adopting an approach inspired by the principles of Heritage Interpretation and Universities as a strategic tool for the dissemination of knowledge.
The HERITEXP Campaign is an initiative promoted by AIPTOC – Italian Association of Tourism Professionals and Cultural Operators.
The acronym HERITEXP comes from the union of HERIT(age) and EXP(eriential) , expressing the meeting between the world of Heritage Interpretation and that of Experiential Tourism.
For further information or to express interest: heritexp@aiptoc.it 0932 229065.
Note: The expression of interest does not imply any legal obligation or formal commitment and is intended to conduct a preliminary screening of applicants. At this stage, please indicate a contact person to liaise with for the subsequent definition of operational agreements.
Note : The principles of Heritage Interpretation have now become fully accepted in the academic field. The course "Fundamentals and Practices of Heritage Interpretation" has been launched as part of the Master's Degree in Planning and Management of Heritage Tourism Systems at the University of Molise.
The dissemination of these principles, however, is not limited to the university context, but extends to all tourism and cultural sectors involved in the promotion and enhancement of cultural heritage, understood in its broadest sense. In particular, these approaches are strategic for all stakeholders interested in transforming widespread heritage and local resources into authentic, accessible, and enjoyable experiences year-round.
A dedicated training program is available for businesses and professionals in the tourism-cultural sector : " Towards a new tourism and cultural horizon: Free Training and Dissemination of Knowledge "
For detailed information on course content and specialist publications, see the pages below.
FOR DETAILS SEE THE DEDICATED PAGE ON THE ITINERARIESPERIENZIALI.IT WEBSITE