Creative Tourism Network to Host Global Forum in Barcelona: A Focus on Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism

Published on August 8, 2025

We are pleased to share that The Creative Tourism Network® (CTN) will host its next International Forum in Barcelona from September 28 to October 2, 2025. The development of creative tourism and the ‘orange economy’ which links creativity and tourism will be the focus of the creative tourism forum, as well as the evolving intersection of culture, creativity, and economic growth.

A Gathering of Global Thought Leaders

The forum promises to bring together visionary leaders, experts, and delegates from across the globe. Attendees from five continents will unite to co-create strategies for fostering sustainable, inclusive, and regenerative tourism ecosystems. In the cultural heart of Barcelona, the event will act as a strategic platform for showcasing diverse destinations and generating synergies aimed at responding to new global tourism paradigms.

Creative Tourism: A Solution for Sustainable Development

This event marks a pivotal moment in the global shift towards recognizing tourism as a key player in sustainable territorial development. Instead of being viewed as a challenge, tourism is now seen as a vital solution for nurturing virtuous, regenerative, and inclusive communities. The Creative Tourism Network® is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation by offering destinations the tools, networks, and promotional opportunities necessary to thrive in the evolving landscape of creative tourism.

Two Decades of Expertise at the Forum

With over 20 years of leadership in the field of creative tourism, CTN is providing a wealth of knowledge through this forum. The organization, backed by extensive international experience, will offer concrete tools and share best practices for destinations to navigate current challenges. Participants will also gain visibility through the prestigious CreativeFriendlyDestination label, which recognizes destinations that promote innovative and sustainable tourism models.

A Platform for Co-Creation and Knowledge Exchange

The forum’s practical and interactive nature will encourage active participation from all attendees. Destinations will have the chance to share their experiences, gain international exposure, and create impactful multimedia content. They will also be involved in co-creating a Magna Carta—a guiding document that will shape the future of creative and orange tourism for years to come. This collaborative effort will pave the way for the development of a global strategy that integrates the latest trends and best practices in the sector.

Aligning with UNESCO’s Mondiacult Congress

Coinciding with the Mondiacult Congress organized by UNESCO, the CTN forum aligns with the values promoted by the institution. The event underscores the importance of creative tourism as a model for sustainable, ethical, and regenerative tourism, directly contributing to the global tourism dialogue in line with the human and cultural values championed by UNESCO.

Fostering Global Connections

The forum is supported by the Department of Culture of the Government of Catalonia and serves as a platform to connect creative tourism initiatives from Catalonia with those from other regions worldwide. This will be a great opportunity for dialogue and the exchange of ideas, as well as for establishing lasting partnerships between destinations that are committed to sustainable tourism models.

Key Themes of the Forum

Among the core topics to be discussed are:

• Creative Tourism and Sustainable Development: Exploring how creative tourism can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs).
• Creative Tourism for Inclusive and Rural Tourism: The role of creative tourism in fostering inclusive experiences, especially in rural areas.
• Creative Tourism in Niche Markets: Focusing on musical, gastronomic, and other specialized travel segments.
• Creative Tourism in Island Destinations: Addressing the unique challenges and opportunities for Small Island Developing States (#SIDS).
• Creative Cities and Creative Tourism: Transitioning from creative cities to full-fledged creative tourism destinations.
• Cultural Tourism for Indigenous and African Communities: How creative tourism supports Afrotourism and Indigenous tourism models.
• Luxury and Sustainable Tourism: Rethinking creative tourism as a new form of luxury and premium travel.

Opportunities for Participants

The CTN forum is rooted in the participatory spirit of creative tourism, with opportunities for all participants to share their stories, present their creative projects, and propose panel topics. Attendees will also have the chance to formalize strategic collaborations with the CTN and gain access to a network of innovative destinations and international experts.

Selected destinations will be awarded the CreativeFriendlyDestination label, and there will be opportunities for participants to present their projects in a pitch format, fostering new partnerships and future collaborations.

Call for Proposals

The forum invites destinations, professionals, and organizations to join the event. Interested parties can attend, share their experiences, and propose new topics or initiatives for the discussions. The final date of the event will be determined based on the preferences of registered participants, with pre-registration available via a dedicated form on the CTN website.

About the Creative Tourism Network®

For over two decades now, The Creative Tourism Network® has built its reputation as a world leader in creative tourism, actively collaborating with UNESCO, UN Tourism, The World Bank, GIZ, and many other countries in developing tourism policies centered on sustainability, creativity, and the empowerment of local communities.

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