Traditional Crafts Route for Sustainable Cultural Tourism Development

DanubeCrafts leverages the rich cultural heritage of the Danube Region to develop sustainable, innovative tourism concepts and promote regional growth. The project focuses on the region’s underutilized traditional crafts, customs, and rituals—many of which are at risk of being forgotten—alongside the largely untapped potential of thematic tourism. Through a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach, DanubeCrafts seeks to preserve and revitalize traditional craft products and services, using thematic tourism tools to support and enhance these efforts. The overall objective of the project is to preserve, promote, and sustainably enhance traditional crafts along a “Traditional Crafts Route”, comprising several touristic itineraries (locations within local communities) with cultural and traditional attractions, to stimulate employment and broaden knowledge on generating new income streams for local craftsmen and artisans, with special attention to vulnerable groups and youth. International consortium comprising research institutions, public administration, representatives of craft and arts, tourism operators combine their expertise to address project objectives and shape innovative sustainable futures in the Danube region.