Charm Project

Immersive experiences in European Charming Villages

Led by the Catalan Tourism Board (CTB), the European CHARM project created a transnational route of 10 charming villages in 6 different countries, offering more than 50 activities and more than 20 tourism products of 1 to 2 nights to involve the visitor in the daily life of the chosen destination, participate in its lifestyle and traditions and live a unique experience. 

The project aimed to create flows to rural or less touristy areas and contribute to decongesting areas and cities with a high concentration of visitors, as well as to preserve and promote the historical and traditional heritage, architecture and landscapes of rural areas through innovative experiences. The idea was to make them known using the advantages that new technologies can provide to rural villages to offer an unforgettable experience to visitors. 

During these two years, CTB worked with 6 partners: 

• Turismo Vivencial (TUVI). 
• Tradições d’Outrora (TDO-PORTGALL). 
• Institut für Tourismus-und Bäderforschung in Nordeuropa gmbh (NIT). 
• Tour Guide Fox (TGF). 

• Software Engineering Italia – SWING:IT (SE IT). 
• Network of European Regions for a Sustainable and Competitive Tourism (NECSTouR). 

Although the CHARM project has ended, the network of villages created has the will to grow and continue to give visibility to these European villages and incorporate new ones. 

OUTSTANDING RESULTS: 

• 1 transnational route of 10 charming villages in 6 different countries: Rupit and Taüll (Catalonia); Burg-Reuland (Belgium); Sortelha and Monsaraz (Portugal); Oravi and Mathildedal (Finland), Cunziria (Italy) and, Seiffen and Friedrichstadl (Germany). 
• 76 authentic experiences (more than 20 tourism products planned for stays of 1 or 2 nights and more than 50 activities based on the cultural and natural heritage of the European countryside). 
• 21 videos of the pilot villages with testimonials from the ambassadors of each village, available on the CHARM YouTube channel. In this video you can enjoy at a glance the 10 charming villages of Europe. 
• Training sessions with the villages for the creation of tourism products with the involvement of local stakeholders. 
• Use of technologies of the Cultural and Creative Industries (Augmented Reality App, Virtual Reality App and the promotion platform of the CHARM network). 

• Innovative tools for the promotion of rural destinations (Guide of good practices for the promotion of rural destinations and Sales Guide (interactive presentation) in 3 languages (English, German, French). 
• Development of a solid promotion, branding and cross-selling strategy.  

The CHARM project had an overall budget of €533,280 and was 75% co-financed by the European COSME program for the competitiveness of enterprises and SMEs, through its 2018 call for proposals. 

www.charmingvillages.eu