On December 11th, Pakhuis de Zwijger is hosting an evening program as the closing of a two-day ConnAct EU gathering dedicated to creating a new narrative for the further development and unity of the European Union. ConnAct- Alliances for an Active Collaboration of European Towns and Communities aims to establish new, sustainable partnerships and focus on synergies that unite communities across EU borders. The project brings together citizens, municipalities and other key actors through transnational workshops, seminars and conferences to share knowledge and develop new approaches to EU challenges, particularly related to the climate crisis and its impact on a wider range of topics such as unity, justice, equality, accessibility, migration and flight, mobility and housing. This program encourages the creation of a new, bottom-up EU narrative by encouraging European cities and its citizens to create partnerships, collaborate and co-create on a variety of subjects.
With the goal to raise awareness that European values and cultural heritage constitute the foundation for a common future, the further integration of the European Union is seen as a means to encourage cross border cooperation and the exchange of best practices. To achieve these goals, ConnAct is organizing conferences, festivals, panel talks, workshops and excursion with its partners across Europe to learn from one another and co-create a common future.
As part of this program, Amsterdam is inviting its EU partners for a two-day gathering on the 10th and 11th of December, focusing on exploring regenerative possibilities for the tourism industry. As increasing mass tourism continues to pose a growing challenge for many European cities, the time has come to move beyond strategies that merely focus on damage controls and to start developing sustainable approaches that enhance, rather than harm the character and livability of cities.
One persistent issue within tourism is the neglect of local and ecological interest in favor of economic gain. A flawed and unsustainable approach that highlights the necessity for ‘regeneration’: a new tourism paradigm based on a place-based approach that co-creates solutions to contemporary urban challenges. At its core, this approach aims to redesign the tourism industry around the idea of reciprocity rather than exploration, placing value on the wellbeing of both humans and non-humans by engaging the local community and other relevant local stakeholders to develop small-scale and local interventions that generate a positive and lasting impact.
During this two-day event, by visiting the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab in Amsterdam Noord, a collaborative hackathon and a public panel discussion at Pakhuis de Zwijger, the participants from across the EU are challenged to critically reflect on the way we approach the urban tourism and leisure industry. As mass tourism remains a challenge for European cities because of increasing pressure on their neighborhoods and ecosystems; it is highly relevant for Amsterdam to share their gained insights for regeneration and show how small scale interventions can bring about meaningful and lasting positive change.
This two-day event will kick off with a tour of the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab tour in Amsterdam Noord; A living lab that is founded by Inholland University of Applied Science and a lab where researchers, students and local partners prototype small scale regenerative strategies to learn what might be feasible on a larger scale. Their research focusses on connecting humans and non-humans and demonstrating that that the tourism industry can become part of the solution, rather than an obstacle to contemporary urban issues.
On the second day, the partners will participate in a hackathon: The Reimagining AI for a Regenerative Visitor Economy. An event where diverse teams with different backgrounds and perspectives will intensively collaborate to develop new, creative and inspiring regenerative strategies for the tourism industry, all within the context of AI. They will reflect on both the opportunities and risks that AI brings to the tourism sector and also specifically discuss how AI might bring opportunities to integrate new ways of thinking. An exciting event that through its multitude of perspectives, will generate valuable insights for all participants to take home.
Finally, on the 11th of December, we invite you to join us for an inspiring evening where we will discuss with you in detail what regenerative tourism means, how the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab has been experimenting with regenerative strategies in Amsterdam Noord, and how the municipality is addressing these theme in its policies. We will close this program with an open dialogue among researchers, educators, students, practitioners, local innovators and the audience about the right way forward, a way forward that enriches cities on every level, not merely economically.
Make sure to reserve your free spot here!
