Creative Tourism Network® Honours Essaouira with the “Best Creative Living Heritage Destination”

#Caroline Couret, #Creative Friendly Destination, #creative tourism, #Creative Tourism Awards, #Creative Tourism Network, #Essaouira, #Orange tourism, #UNESCO

The city of Essaouira has been awarded the prestigious “Best Creative Living Heritage Destination” prize by the Creative Tourism Network®, the international organization dedicated to the development of creative tourism. This distinction highlights a strategy that places intangible heritage at the heart of a forward‑looking vision for territorial attractiveness and differentiation.

The international jury praised Essaouira’s ability to transform its living heritage into a powerful driver of creative, sustainable, and regenerative tourism. The city’s circular approach—valuing cultural and natural assets, diversifying visitor profiles throughout the year, and fostering co‑creation with local communities and academic institutions—was particularly commended.

Caroline Couret, President of the Creative Tourism Network®, emphasized “Essaouira’s “resilient and creative tourism model, capable of preserving traditions while encouraging innovation.”

This year’s Creative Tourism Awards saw 223 candidates from 28 countries, a record that reflects the global vitality of creative tourism. Selection criteria included originality of experiences, the ability to build a local creative ecosystem, and the integration of sustainability principles.

The award also strengthens the city’s collaboration with the Creative Tourism Network® ahead of the 2026 UNESCO Creative Cities Network Annual Conference, offering Essaouira an exceptional platform to showcase its cultural and tourism initiatives.

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