Balancing capacities of tourism sites through the development of new sites and routes
Argument
A good practice for balancing the capacities of tourism sites is the strategic development of new routes and destinations that harness under-utilised cultural and natural assets. The creation of rural and cultural paths exemplifies this approach. These routes not only alleviate pressure on over-visited sites but also unlock the potential of lesser-known areas, promoting equitable distribution of tourism flows. By integrating local heritage, ecological knowledge, and community participation, these initiatives offer immersive, low-impact experiences that enrich the tourism offer while fostering sustainable economic development. Such diversified networks support soft mobility, encourage local consumption, and enhance regional identity, making them effective tools for capacity balancing and sustainable territorial development.
Practical applications
Rural paths serve as both spatial and social indicators, reflecting a diverse small-scale heritage that preserves ancient agricultural knowledge and the use of local resources. They represent a valuable asset for developing ‘soft’ tourism, encouraging exploration on foot or by bike. The Morvan des Sommets has 1,100 km of rural paths. Owned by village communities, this network structures the landscape while providing environmental services and amenities for its users.
Coppin, F., & Guichard, V. (2024). Ancient paths to the future: An integrated approach to territorial communities and entrepreneurship. In K. J. Borowiecki, A. Fresa, & J. M. Martín Civantos, Innovative Cultural Tourism in European Peripheries (1st ed., pp. 185–199). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003422952-11
Six cultural routes have been developed along traditional irrigation channels in collaboration with local communities and various stakeholders. This initiative highlights and shares local ecological knowledge related to water management, soil fertility, pastures, and forest conservation. The aim of these itineraries is to promote sustainable economic development through the diversification of the municipalities' cultural offerings, promoting local consumption and the circular economy.
Civantos, J. M. M., Jiménez, E. C., & García, M. T. B. (2024). Historical water management systems and sustainable tourism: The case study of Altiplano de Granada (Spain). In K. J. Borowiecki, A. Fresa, & J. M. Martín Civantos, Innovative Cultural Tourism in European Peripheries (1st ed., pp. 170–184). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003422952-10
Designing a network of cultural routes that traces historical nomadic paths of Vlachs offers a meaningful way to connect landscapes with the stories and traditions of the people who once moved through them. By surveying, mapping, and narrating these routes, tourism becomes a tool for preserving and sharing cultural memory while guiding visitors through a living history of the region. This approach fosters deeper engagement with place, supports cultural continuity, and highlights the value of intangible minority heritage in shaping contemporary tourism experiences.
Serjani, E., & Miti, A. (2024). Experimental reconstruction, cultural memory and cultural tourism: Vlach minority heritage in the Upper Vjosa Valley, Southern Albania. In K. J. Borowiecki, A. Fresa, & J. M. Martín Civantos, Innovative Cultural Tourism in European Peripheries (1st ed., pp. 225–241). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003422952-14
Šalek Valley (Slovenia): Tourism plays a significant role by providing alternative economic opportunities and promoting the region’s green transformation. Investments are being made into cycling routes, electric public transport, and eco-friendly tourism infrastructure to reduce carbon footprints.
Hôtel du Nord: from a cooperative to a hospitality policy
Hôtel du Nord is a residents’ cooperative organized as a SCIC (Société Coopérative d’Intérêt Collectif) and founded in 2011 with the aim of revitalizing and “bringing to life” the marginalized heritage of the northern neighbourhoods of Marseille. The cooperative is based on the perspective of providing an alternative to conventional tourism through forms of hospitality driven by the local community. The initiative aims to promote the heritage of the northern neighbourhoods by offering around a hundred heritage routes created by hosts, as well as local productions.
Hôtel du Nord is one of the founders of the hospitality platform Les oiseaux de passage, also organized as a SCIC, which brings together a broad community of hosts, tourism and cultural actors, and members of the social economy.
Hôtel du Nord is also a member of the Marseille Hospitalités collective, which seeks to make Marseille a “hospitable city,” aiming to integrate the question of hospitality into public policies to go beyond conventional tourism and meet broader objectives of inclusivity, welcoming, and combating racism and discrimination.
FlavoursMNE: Discover the Hidden Flavours of Rural Montenegro - highlighting the authentic experiences of gastronomy, culture, and rural tourism by Montenegro Adventures
Across Montenegro, Montenegro Adventures is developing new tourism products that redirect visitors from saturated destinations towards rural villages, farms, and small family-run businesses across the northern, central, and southern regions. Traditional gastronomy provides the main entry point, with experiences ranging from farm-to-table meals and visits to katuns, wine cellars, and oyster and mussel farms to cooking classes and tastings of traditional dishes. These gastronomic experiences are combined with activities such as hiking, kayaking, cycling, and sailing, allowing existing itineraries to be adapted to include lesser-known destinations and communities. By integrating authentic local experiences into established tourism routes, the initiative distributes visitor flows more widely, creates new market opportunities for small producers, and contributes to the preservation and transmission of Montenegro’s culinary heritage.
