From 2 to 5 April 2025, the second consortium meeting of the international project SECreTour (Sustainable, Ethical and Creative Tourism in Heritage-rich Communities) took place in Bibracte, Glux-en-Glenne, France. The event was opened by José María Martín Civantos from the University of Granada and Vincent Guichard, General Director of BIBRACTE.
Eight Pilots – Eight Inspiring Stories
The meeting provided a space for all eight pilot cases to present the current state of their work and their initial results. Among them were: Bibracte: a landscape in common, Traditional irrigation systems in SE Spain, The heritage of the Vlach ethnolinguistic minority, Rural Roma heritage communities, Historic graves of Ireland & the Irish Diaspor, Digital nomadism in heritage-rich communities and San Giorgio: the Threshold of the Sacred Mountain and Mining cultural heritage & heritage communities – the pilot case led by Matej Bel University (UMB) in Banská Bystrica.
Photo source: BIBRACTE
Mining Cultural Heritage in the Heart of Slovakia
The UMB team presented their progress in Pilot Case #6, which focuses on reviving mining-related cultural heritage and strengthening community awareness in the historical mining areas of central Slovakia. This pilot links research, regional partnerships, local knowledge and cultural identity through participatory activities aimed at supporting the sustainable development of the region through cultural heritage and cultural tourism.
UMB also leads Work Package 6: Exploitation and Sustainability of Project Results, which focuses on the long-term use, transfer and impact of project outputs.
Digital Tools and Lively Discussions
A key part of the programme was the interactive workshop on digital tools for sustainable tourism (D2.5), led by Matevž Straus from Arctur. Participants – divided into three working groups – engaged in active exchange of experiences and practical exercises.
The programme also featured a presentation by the Réseau des Grands Sites de France, delivered by Céline Tastet, as well as a round table discussion with local elected representatives, business owners, civil society organisations and representatives of the Parc naturel régional du Morvan. These discussions took place in the inspiring setting of the Bibracte Museum, which participants later explored during an evening guided tour.
Landscape, History and Local Flavours
The organisers also prepared a rich accompanying programme outside the meeting rooms. Participants visited a local organic farm involved in the pilot activities, took part in a walking excursion through the Bibracte landscape, and enjoyed regional gastronomy at Le Chaudron Gallic, from local farmers and at a newly opened restaurant in Glux-en-Glenne.
Photo source: Kamila Borseková
SECreTour bridges past and future – through cultural heritage, people, landscapes and innovation. The second consortium meeting reaffirmed that the project’s greatest value lies in connecting diverse perspectives and building shared visions in rural, peripheral and remote areas. These areas may face multiple challenges, yet they possess extraordinary cultural potential that, through sustainable cultural tourism, becomes a powerful driver for their development.
For more information about the UMB pilot case as well as the entire SECreTour project, please visit: SECreTour
