Beyond Tourism Manifesto: A New Vision for Cultural Tourism
Towards Circular and Human-Centred Cultural Tourism
What is the Beyond Tourism Manifesto?
The Beyond Tourism Manifesto (Larnaca Manifesto) calls for a fundamental shift in cultural tourism. Moving away from a mass tourism model that extracts value from destinations—often causing environmental and social harm—the Manifesto envisions a new paradigm that places culture, heritage, and local communities at the heart of tourism development.
This transformative approach is built on the principles of circular economy, cultural landscape regeneration, and human wellbeing, fostering a symbiotic relationship between sustainability, aesthetics, and social inclusion.
Why It Matters
Cultural tourism is a powerful tool for economic and social development. However, when driven solely by economic gain, it can lead to overtourism, loss of cultural identity, environmental degradation, and economic leakage—where benefits fail to reach local communities.
The Beyond Tourism Manifesto champions an alternative model where:
✅ Cultural landscapes are valued as key assets for social and economic regeneration.
✅ Circular economy principles ensure resources stay within local communities, fostering resilience.
✅ Sustainability, participation, and beauty shape tourism policies and investment strategies.
✅ Remote and rural destinations are revitalized, offering transformative travel experiences.
✅ Traditional knowledge and intangible heritage are safeguarded and leveraged for innovation.
Our Commitment
Adopted during the Be.CULTOUR Roundtable in Larnaca, Cyprus (May 2024), this Manifesto is inspired by global best practices, aligning with key international frameworks such as:
📜 The UNESCO Conventions on Cultural and Natural Heritage, Intangible Heritage, and the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
📜 The European Landscape Convention and the New European Bauhaus Initiative.
📜 The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Key Principles
✔ Cultural Landscapes are fundamental to community wellbeing, tourism attractiveness, and sustainability.
✔ Circular cultural tourism promotes economic resilience and environmental responsibility.
✔ Local communities and entrepreneurs should benefit from tourism, avoiding economic leakage.
✔ Authenticity and integrity of cultural heritage must be preserved while fostering innovation.
✔ New technologies and digital tools can enhance landscape protection and visitor experiences.
✔ Public-private-people partnerships are essential to create inclusive, participatory governance models.
Join the Movement
The Beyond Tourism Manifesto is a call to action for policymakers, cultural and tourism stakeholders, local authorities, businesses, and communities to redefine the future of tourism.
🌱 Are you ready to be part of the change? Adopt the Manifesto and contribute to a new era of regenerative, human-centred tourism.
📩 Contact us to learn more about how you can implement these principles in your destination.