Welcome to our Discovering Europe page for cultural heritage professionals. Use this page to explore news, content and information related to tourism in the cultural heritage sector and share your initiatives. 

Our 'Discovering Europe' season is one of a series of complementary European Commission related initiatives to promote cultural heritage tourism in the context of ‘Re-open EU'. These include the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC)’s ‘Europe’s Culture Close to you’, and promotion of the Joint Research Centre’s Cultural Gems app. 

Europeana’s ‘Discovering Europe’ season uses the rich cultural heritage shared through the Europeana website to showcase the beautiful landscapes, historic places and rich culture of Europe, and inspire travel to local and alternative destinations. 

Throughout the summer we will feature cultural jewels and hidden gems across the continent in galleries, blogs and learning scenarios which highlight the diversity and beauty that Europe offers. 

The European Heritage Alliance Manifesto identifies 'Experiencing Europe' through cultural heritage as one of seven key ways in which cultural heritage can act as a catalyst for positive change.

'Faced with the catastrophic impact of the pandemic on the tourism industry due to travel and mobility limitations, which puts 13 million European jobs at risk, we fully support the appeal for a major 'EU tourism rescue plan'. This plan should include special measures for the revival of cultural tourism, one of the largest and fastest growing tourism segments worldwide which accounts for 40% of all European tourism. Tourism needs cultural heritage and cultural heritage needs tourism. But we recover from this crisis by using it as an opportunity to promote more innovative and sustainable forms of tourism. In doing so, we will deliver lasting benefits for public and private owners of heritage sites and the communities that surround them, generating higher quality experiences and greater enjoyment for visitors.'