Lecturers of the UIC Barcelona Faculty of Humanities Judith Urbano and Marta Crispi have published the book Cultural Leadership in Transition Tourism with Springer Publishing, together with Italian lecturers Elena Borin from the University of Rome and Mara Cerquetti from the University of Macerata. In addition to the task as editors, Urbano y Crispí also contributed as authors of a case study that analyses the Girona Episcopal cultural brand, which includes the cathedral of Girona, the Museum of Art and the church of Sant Fèlix. We interviewed them to learn about their task as researchers and editors and the conclusions on the research that was carried out.
- What is the objective of this publication?
J. Urbano: The book presents different models and good practices in sustainable cultural tourism. Cultural tourism is an important factor for economic growth, but as we know, mass tourism causes many problems in cities, for their inhabitants, etc. and it must be managed properly. It is a time of change, to reflect on this issue, to reach a sustainable model for everyone, and this book presents some success stories that have been carried out in different parts of Europe.
- What conclusions can be drawn from this publication regarding the current situation of culture and global tourism?
J. Urbano: Cultural tourism must be promoted within the tourist industry itself, close to the region, to its identity and tradition and, therefore, to its inhabitants and community. There is an alternative to mass tourism; it has to be moved away from the big cities (we all know what happens in Barcelona, Venice, Paris, Rome, Athens...), and this requires a transition to some alternative tourism. Public, private and civic institutions and organisations must seek common strategies in this direction and this means to begin to reflect on the subject, which is what the book proposes, and take appropriate measures.
- What does this publication with one of the most important international publishers, such as Springer, mean for the Faculty of Humanities?
J. Urbano: Our History, Architecture and Design Research Group (GRHAD) has three research branches: art, architecture and heritage; cultural management; and women artists. It should also be noted that our Faculty of Humanities has been teaching the Master's Degree in Cultural Management for 21 years. Therefore, this book brings together the aspects of heritage and cultural management, and for the Faculty, is one more link in the clear desire to generate knowledge in the field of humanities and make it visible in top-level publishers and journals.
- The book also covers your research on the Girona Episcopal cultural brand, which includes the cathedral of Girona, the Museum of Art and the church of Sant Fèlix. What was the process of this investigation like?
M. Crispí: The work methodology has been, in itself, a challenge for us, because we are both art historians and always work from documentary sources and the work of art itself. Research focused on cultural management involves the use of different information systems, surveys, statistical data, action reports, etc., and from these sources, we tried to analyse whether the objectives of the new cultural and tourist brand had been reached and note the aspects that need improvement.
- What conclusions did you draw?
M. Crispí: After this analysis, we can point out that the people responsible for the creation of the Girona Episcopal brand were able to identify a concept that has a solid historical and cultural base and a top-level architectural and artistic heritage that support it. The union of the different agents involved contributes to building a cultural claim that ends up enriching and complementing the cultural offer itself. Unfortunately, it is not easy for this type of alliance between different agents to come together and materialise in a solid and attractive product.
