Ecomuseums (on Clean Energy), Cycle Tourism and Civic Crowdfunding: A New Match for Sustainability?

Abstract

An ecomuseum is an 'instrument' to share the interests of a region and protect its cultural, historical and natural heritage. Cycle tourism is a sustainable type of tourism. Civic crowdfunding is a method of raising funds from a community for the fulfilment of civic initiatives. Starting from the literature on the link between cycle tourism and sustainability, the interaction between renewable energy resources and tourism, and finally the place-based dimension of a civic crowdfunding campaign, the purpose of this study is to show that an ecomuseum focused on clean energy has the potential to attract cycle tourists, increase the numbers of funders, as well as attract the interest of the municipality, not-for-profit associations and energy and tourism firms, and thus significantly enhance its beneficial effects on sustainability from economic, social and environmental points of view. This study employed an action research method to gain in-depth knowledge of this issue, as well as a qualitative case study approach to present and discuss the results. The principal result of this study is the identification of a potential way to create sustainability, via the match between an ecomuseum devoted to clean energy, cycle tourism and civic crowdfunding.

Industrial Heritage 2.0: Internet Presence and Development of the Electronic Commerce of Industrial Tourism

“…Industrial tourism is a type of tourism dedicated to developing sustainable tourism strategies [20]. Tourism resources related to industrial tourism link local inhabitants and visitors with the environment [21]. These resources are made up of places, landscapes, historical memory, nature, and the traditions and heritage of each local community that help the sustainable development of the destination [22].…”

“…In summary, industrial tourism is a sustainable and comprehensive tourism product that brings together the activities offered, the participation of local inhabitants, and the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage of the region [21]. Consequently, industrial tourism resources are cultural resources that serve to advance sustainability objectives [5].…”

Community-Based Processes for Revitalizing Heritage: Questioning Justice in the Experimental Practice of Ecomuseums

“…The practices of ecomuseums do not only fit the concept of sustainability [57][58][59][60]; they also have a tendency toward social inclusion and justice, but under specific conditions. As Stefano and Davis [28] pointed out, in some cases, ecomuseums may be no more than empty labels.…”

“…The phenomenon of ecomuseums has a direct link with the search for sustainability [57,58], ecomuseums being possible tools for integrating heritage's valorisations with the UN SDGs. Specifically, there are intersections-at least-with quality education, decent work and economic growth, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, peace, justice and strong institutions [59], although even the connections with the whole picture of SDGs could be easy to demonstrate.…”

Editorial: Tourism 2030 and the contribution to the sustainable development goals: the tourism review viewpoint

“…Ecotourism destinations adopt renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and dish systems, and sustainable energy techniques to get better effectiveness and improved production (Prinsloo, 2013). Cycle tourism is emerging due to tourists’ lack of daily physical activity and the potential health and safety risk from long-distance mobility, as well as tourists’ increasing awareness of responsible energy consumption (Simeoni and De Crescenzo, 2018). This also applies to the rising trend of hiring electric cars or clean energy vehicles instead of traditional ones.…”