FITURNEXT records more than 350 initiatives submitted for the 2027 Challenge on tourism and the preservation of cultural identity

FITURNEX, the FITUR Observatory dedicated to promoting best practices in tourism through a sustainability lens, has kept the call open to identify initiatives for the 2027 Challenge, focused on how tourism can contribute to the preservation and promotion of cultural identity.

FITURNEXT 2027 Challenge
- Focus: How tourism can contribute to the preservation and promotion of cultural identity.
- Submissions: Over 350 initiatives identified across five continents.
- Selection: 9 finalists → 3 winners to be announced at FITUR 2027 (20–24 January, IFEMA Madrid).

1. Revitalisation & Regeneration of Heritage
- Projects recovering, rehabilitating, or reactivating tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
- Tourism positioned as a driver of regeneration rather than degradation.

2. Community-led Identity Tourism Initiatives
- Local communities at the heart of tourism experiences.
- Ensures authenticity and direct benefits to residents.

3. Creation of Identity-based Tourism Products
- Travel agencies, operators, and experience companies designing products rooted in cultural identity.

FITURNEXT Track Record
- 8th Edition: Over 2,000 initiatives analyzed since inception.
- Recognized as a leading observatory for responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
- Destino FiturNext Podcast: Now in its second season, featuring experts on gender equality, accessibility, and environmental regeneration — available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

This initiative highlights how tourism can be both a risk and a powerful ally for cultural identity, depending on how communities, operators, and policymakers engage.