ABOUT THE LAB

The Heritage & Slow TourismLAB explores the varying meanings and practices of Slow and Slowness in the context of heritage and tourism.

The LAB is a spin-off of HTHIC, the Heritage, Tourism and Hospitality, International Conference. It is an independent think tank.

Researchers, business owners, tourism decision-makers and other professionals are cordially invited to discuss Slow, Slow Tourism, Slow Travel, Slow Food Travel, Slow Adventure, Slow Retail, Slow Experience, Slow Art, Cittaslow and other Slow Places and the ways Slow might contribute to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage. 

HTHIC, the Heritage, Tourism and Hospitality, International Conference, focuses on the leading question: “How can tourism destinations succeed in attracting tourists while simultaneously engaging all stakeholders in the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage?” 

Slow has been on the agenda since the first edition of the Conference, HTHIC2014, at the Boğaziçi University in Istanbul.

HTHIC’s purpose requires an understanding of the way we think and choose, perceive risk, happiness and well-being, the importance of which Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman explained so well in his work on “Thinking, Fast and Slow”.

Slowness as a characteristic of pilgrimages and long-distance cultural (walking) routes, the Slow Movement which has its origin in Italy, the Slow philosophy with its pursuit of quality of life and heritage conservation are also most relevant for HTHIC’s community.  visit the hthic website >

QUESTIONS

Questions the Heritage & Slow TourismLAB addresses include:

• What exactly is Slow Tourism? A mindset, lifestyle, behaviour? A specific way of discovering and (re)discovering ourselves along the way? A marketing concept, a specific product or a method for tourism development?
• Where and how to travel and stay Slow, if travelling Slow is typically associated with ethical and sustainable practices, taking into consideration the impacts of travel on the environment, society and economy?
• What can we learn from existing Slow movements, destinations, organisations and projects in terms of quality criteria, critical success factors, best practices and actual results?
• Who are the consumers of Slow Tourism products and services and what are their motives and wishes?
• What is the role of Slow Food, Slow Retail, Slow Adventure, Slow Travel and Cittaslow when it comes to Slow Tourism?
• How can the insights gathered be translated into useful manuals for tourism destinations, entrepreneurs and organisations in the field of natural and cultural heritage conservation?
• How does Slow Tourism relate to responsible, sustainable or regenerative tourism and Slow products to the SDGs?