The European Association of the Via Francigena Ways EAVF has signed the Memorandum of Cooperation with the Toulouse School of Tourism, Hospitality Management and Food Studies of the University of Toulouse ISTHIA – Jean Jaures. 

In the framework of the Memorandum the EAVF and the ISTHIA will work together on development of sustainable tourism strategies for the Via Francigena and on youth engagement. The organizations will closely collaborate on projects of mutual benefits, based on methodology of slow and sustainable tourism to enhance the French stretch of the route and empower young tourism graduates.

The collaboration with the ISTHIA is of significant importance for the EAVF as it presents an opportunity of scientific and research work with one of the leading academic institution in the domain of tourism in France. Such collaboration is also one of the criteria for the Council of Europe Cultural Route label, requiring multidisciplinary research and work with young Europeans. Working together with ISTHIA students will allow them to learn more about the cultural routes in general and the Via Francigena in particular. Thanks to the collaboration the students will become young ambassadors of the Via Francigena.

The EAVF has been cooperating with the ISTHIA since 2018, working together on the research on the impact of the Via Francigena in France and beyond.

In the framework of the project the students produced an analysis of tourism impact of the Via Francigena in France, providing innovative ideas and methodology. Two aspects were at the centre of their analysis: social-cultural and economic impact of the route in France (900km) and assessment and use of cultural heritage along the route. The project was presented at the Council of Europe Cultural Routes Training Academy in June 2019, which took place in Visby, Sweden.