The fact that the topic of cultural tourism is important in the context of a bid for the European Capital of Culture was also proven by the first Forum Cultural Tourism in Chemnitz. At the invitation of Project and Cultural Operations Manager Ferenc Csák and CWE Managing Director Sören Uhle, numerous top performers discussed the significance and challenge on Tuesday.

The Stuttgart tourism expert Yvonne Pröbstle and the Graz Tourism Director Dieter Hardt-Stremayr could be won as keynote speakers. While Yvonne Pröbstle dealt with the theoretical basics and types of cultural tourists, Dieter Hardt-Stremayr, who is also President of European Cities Marketing, talked about the positive effects of Graz 2003.

Graz wanted to distinguish itself on a European level, renew its cultural offer, deepen international contacts and redefine the city through culture. The fact that this was achieved is also demonstrated by the numerous infrastructure projects that were implemented or whose construction was accelerated by the title after many years of discussion. The Graz expert pointed out, for example, that the Kunsthaus had been under discussion for 35 years.

In addition, focus groups discussed messages of a cultural region of Chemnitz as a destination as well as cultural tourism offers and cooperation possibilities between culture and tourism.

The forum is a further step in Chemnitz’s application process, in addition to the consistent involvement of a wide range of target groups that are relevant in the identification of the central issues. A second forum will take place in spring 2018.