Policy recommendations on creative tourism development in small cities and rural areas

Abstract

Based on CREATOUR’s findings, this policy-oriented briefing report proposes recommendations to authorities and agencies at all levels (national, regional, and local) relating to the development of creative tourism initiatives in small cities and rural areas in Portugal. It is centrally informed by the needs of the CREATOUR pilot organizations, which were articulated within discussions between researchers and practitioners. We also considered public policies related to rural tourism development and the types of public policies needed to foster and support cultural and creative organizations in small cities and rural areas. The recommendations recognize and reinforce the need to develop new structures to foster ongoing interconnections between the cultural and tourism sectors.