Barcelos has been awarded World’s Best Creative Experience at the 13th Creative Tourism Awards for its emblematic activity Modeling and Painting the Barcelos Rooster. Selected from 223 candidates across 28 countries, this distinction celebrates far more than an exceptional workshop: it confirms Barcelos as one of the world’s most influential creative tourism destinations and a living example of how a UNESCO Creative City can transform its title into a regenerative, future‑oriented development model.
Barcelos as a global flagship for creative tourism
The Jury emphasised that Barcelos is not simply a city with strong craft traditions — it is a territory shaped by centuries of artisanal mastery, where pottery, figurines, ceramics, embroidery, weaving, woodwork, ironwork, leatherwork, and contemporary crafts coexist in a vibrant, interdependent ecosystem. This extraordinary density of creative talent has turned Barcelos into a true Living Hub, where heritage is not preserved behind glass but practiced, shared, and reinvented daily.
This is precisely what positions Barcelos as a world leader in creative tourism: the city has succeeded in transforming its UNESCO Creative City designation into a long‑term development model that strengthens local identity, empowers artisans, and creates meaningful encounters between residents and visitors.
A creative experience that embodies an entire ecosystem
The awarded experience — modeling and painting the iconic Barcelos Rooster — is emblematic of this approach. It offers visitors a direct, hands‑on encounter with local heritage, guided by artisans whose knowledge has been passed down through generations. The Jury highlighted how this activity fosters cultural exchange, creativity, and personal expression, turning a national symbol into a deeply human, participatory experience.
A collaborative and regenerative model
Barcelos’ strength lies in its collaborative governance. Institutions such as the School of Design (IPCA), the Pottery Museum, the Medieval Tower, primary and vocational schools, and the Barcelos House of Creativity work together to preserve and renew traditional crafts. This network ensures:
- transmission of artisanal know‑how
- empowerment of artisans and young creators
- community engagement and inclusion
- sustainable, low‑impact tourism development
This integrated model demonstrates how creative tourism can become a driver of regeneration, supporting youth employment, social cohesion, and the continuity of local knowledge.
A city that embodies the spirit of creative tourism
As Caroline Couret, President of the Creative Tourism Network®, stated,
“Barcelos exemplifies the essence of creative tourism: a vibrant territory where heritage is lived, shared, and reinvented through hands‑on experiences.” The Barcelos Rooster workshop captures this spirit perfectly, transforming tradition into a participatory, inspiring, and profoundly human encounter.”
A global leader among global innovators
Barcelos now stands alongside this year’s inspiring award‑winners — from Bangkok to Ljubljana, Barranquilla, the Vanilla Islands, Belo Horizonte, Tunisia, Budapest, Essaouira, Cannes, and the Charentes Region — all demonstrating how creativity can shape a more human, sustainable future for tourism. Yet Barcelos’ contribution is particularly notable for its coherence, authenticity, and long‑term vision, making it one of the most compelling examples of creative tourism worldwide.
A Network Leading the Way
Internationally recognized for its commitment to innovative and responsible tourism, the Creative Tourism Network® continues to champion models that are both creatively enriching and socially empowering. Founded in 2010 with the support of the European Union, the Creative Tourism Network® collaborates with UNESCO, UN Tourism, and numerous national ministries. Its mission is to strengthen the visibility and impact of creative tourism, support local entrepreneurship, and ensure that communities directly benefit from tourism.
In the context of the UN’s International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (2026), the Network will launch new creative volunteering programs, training initiatives, and collaborative projects designed to amplify tourism’s social and cultural impact.
Destinos
- Galo de Barcelos conquista prémio mundial de turismo criativo – Publituris
- O Galo de Barcelos conquista prémio mundial de turismo criativo e eleva Portugal no mapa global do turismo experiencial – Papa Leguas
- Galo de Barcelos conquistou Premio Mundial de Turismo Criativo
- Galo de Barcelos distinguido como melhor experiência criativa a nível mundial – Jornal Noticias
- Galo de Barcelos vence prémio mundial de turismo criativo – Tal Canal
- 13.ª edição do World Creative Tourism Awards – Galo de Barcelos conquista prémio mundial de turismo criativo
