The TOURAL project held a working meeting on November 15, 2024 in Parutyne village, Kutsurub community. The meeting brought together representatives from the local community, businesses, and government, marking the launch of the Living Lab – an innovative platform for collaboration aimed at fostering sustainable tourism development.
The discussions focused on addressing critical challenges faced by the community, including infrastructure damage and underdeveloped tourism facilities, poverty and a lack of entrepreneurial skills, and the ongoing impacts of war on local development. To overcome these hurdles, the TOURAL project outlined strategic priorities to leverage the community’s rich cultural and natural resources.
The project emphasizes the development of multiple tourism types, including cultural, gastronomic, rural, event-based, and recreational tourism. It also highlights support for themed guesthouses and promotion of local products, such as wine and organic food. Plans include organizing high-profile events to attract visitors, such as gastronomic festivals showcasing local flavors, eco-routes that celebrate the region’s natural beauty, and sports competitions, including the proposed “Olbian Olympic Games.”
The project highlights the role of local enterprises and cultural institutions, such as NGO “Kinburn” and OLBIO NUBO winery, in promoting the area’s unique offerings. Workshops on media literacy and product promotion will further equip residents with skills to market their services effectively.
The TOURAL project envisions a sustainable future for the Kutsurub community by preserving natural and cultural heritage to ensure long-term tourism viability and developing a comprehensive branding strategy that positions Kutsurub as a premier sustainable tourism destination.The event underscored the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to unlock the community’s tourism potential. By uniting residents, businesses, and experts, the Living Lab serves as a catalyst for innovative solutions that address current challenges and promote economic resilience.
