The Governing Board of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, meeting on 5 and 6 May 2022, granted the FITE participatory status with the EPA. It thus joins the very restricted circle of partner organizations of the Council of Europe for Cultural Routes alongside leading NGOs such as UNESCO and the World Tourism Organization.
A strong collaboration between the FITE and the European Institute of Cultural Routes
Since 2015, the FITE works with the European Institute of Cultural Routes, to participate in the development of international equestrian tourism.
Depuis 2013, en lien avec ses ONTE allemand, belge, espagnol, français, italien et néerlandais, la FITE participe à la création de la Route Européenne d’Artagnan. En mai 2021, elle est le premier itinéraire équestre à obtenir la certification Itinéraire Culturel du Conseil de l’Europe. La FITE est d’ailleurs membre fondateur d’AERA, l’association de gouvernance de la Route Européenne d’Artagnan.
— Access to ICCE Certification
Obtaining the participatory status
By granting it participatory status, the administrators of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe wished to support collaboration with the FITE.
— Access to APEICCE
The FITE thus joins important partner organizations of the EPA on the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe: the European Union, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the European Federation of Hiking (FERP) and the European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (FEG).
— Consult the Partner Organizations
Stefano DOMINIONI, Executive Secretary of the EPA and Director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes underlines that "The action of the FITE and the development of equestrian declinations to the Certified Cultural Routes responds pertinently to one of the ambitions of the Cultural Routes Program of the Council of Europe, namely the establishment of a sustainable and responsible tourism, respectful of the surrounding natural and cultural resources."
"This appointment consolidates the FITE's recognition as an expert of the development of equestrian tourism internationally" reacted Frédéric Bouix, the FITE's President.It also strengthens our partnership. Indeed, the FITE will accompany the implementation of equestrian variants to the certified European Cultural Routes".
The EPA on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe
The Enlarged Partial Agreement contributes to strengthening the potential of the Cultural Routes for cultural cooperation, sustainable development and social cohesion. It highlights routes of symbolic importance for unity, history, culture, European values and the discovery of little-known destinations.
The Enlarged Partial Agreement follows the political guidelines of the Council of Europe in deciding on the orientation of these programs and in issuing the "Cultural Route of the Council of Europe" certification.
The FITE warmly thanks the members of the EPA Board of Directors for granting this status.
If you want to know more about equestrian tourism, a dedicated page is available on the site.
— Go to the Tourism page
Photo @Les Sabots de Vénus
