Policy recommendations on creative tourism development in small cities and rural areas: insights from the CREATOUR® project in Portugal

Abstract

This chapter is a synthesis of proposed 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. It is centrally informed by the needs of the CREATOUR ® pilot organizations in Portugal, which were articulated within discussions between researchers and practitioners. The study also considers 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.