From the beginning of this year, the implementation of the cultural tourism strategy which was developed in Narva in the framework of the international project TExTOUR has begun. The project’s aim is the development of cultural tourism in little-known regions of Europe and beyond. Last year, Narva Department for Development and Economy commissioned the development of a cultural tourism strategy for Narva. The consulting company BDA Consulting OÜ was selected on a competitive basis to develop the strategy. The process of creating the strategy and action plan was carried out in close cooperation with the operator of Kreenholm, Narva Gate OÜ, which is the second project partner from Estonia, the local community, as well as institutions and companies operating in the field of tourism and culture. The action plan included quite a few interesting ideas proposed by the participants of the workshops. For example, accessible viewing platforms on the territory of Krenholm with needed infrastructure, the opening of a nostalgic market and shopping alley (for example, along Joala Street), a thematic museum on the territory of Kreenholm, a retro- bus for city tours, gondola tours around Narva Venice, thematic family park in Äkkeküla. Two ideas were chosen as pilot projects for realization - a thematic tour along Kreenholm district, which will appear this summer, and a light installation in the building of the Joala factory, which is going to be presented to Kreenholm visitors next year.
The thematic tour of Kreenholm district will be digitally available from smartphone, tablet and computer, in three languages – Estonian, Russian and English in both text and audio format. Signs with QR codes will be installed along the route, scanning which users will go to a web page with a description of a particular object and the route map.
The light installation is planned in the building of the Joala factory and will be available fir the visitors of the Kreenholm with Narva Museum excursion as an additional service. The developers of the installation will begin with the concept. It is also planned to involve local community and former employees of Kreenholm in the process of realization this pilot action.
The goal of the TExTOUR project is to improve the economic and social situation of 8 pilot regions with a rich cultural and historical heritage, one of which is the city of Narva and specifically the Kreenholm area, through the development of cultural tourism.
The project will last until 09/30/2024. All documents developed within the framework of the project will be available on an open platform for use at the state and local levels. The main partner in the project is the Spanish organization Fundación Santa María la Real. TExTOUR project received a grant from the EU Horizon 2020 Program. The total project budget for the entire period and for all 17 partners is 3,950,468.75 €.
Additional information:
Olga Smirnova, +372 359 9275, olga.smirnova [at] narva.ee
