Loulé Criativo is undoubtedly one of the most successful creative tourism programs in various aspects: both in terms of the quality of its creative tourism experiences, and the virtuous ecosystem created throughout the territory, making creative tourism an engine of sustainable development.
The municipality of Loulé, located just minutes from the Algarve coast, has managed to preserve its intangible heritage, the result of centuries of coexistence between various cultures. The creation of the LouléCriativo program has made it possible to convert said know-how and traditions into authentic creative tourism experiences, attractive to both international and local visitors.
In fact, it has been one of the few destinations that has maintained its activity during the pandemic, thanks to the participation of domestic tourism in creative tourism activities. One of the keys is precisely their expertise when it comes to designing experiences that are not folklorization or touristization of folklore, but rather the transmission of knowledge in a more creative and playful framework, conducive to the exchange between generations and cultures.
Among a wide variety of activities, which are permanently updated to adapt to the seasons and the festive calendar, the LouléCriativo program offers the opportunity to shape the clay following the instructions of the potter, intertwine reeds or palms to shape baskets or other utensils, learn to prepare a typical dish of regional gastronomy, recreate a platabanda, so characteristic of the traditional architecture of the region, or even carry out an artistic residence, among an infinity of proposals.
The success of LouléCriativo has led the Municipality to bet on the creative economy with the creation of a creative hub, including a residence and an incubator through which international designers choose Loulé to co-create with local artisans and artists.
LouléCriativo’s innovative initiatives are infinite and would not fit in a press release. For this reason, we invite you to follow the news of the program in the following links:
https://www.creativetourismnetwork.org/portugal/
