
Lekeitio´s maritime heritage recovery experiences

About this good practice
The goals were: Involve the people of the municipality in the collection of information.Generate new businesses and jobs. Preserve the tangible and intangible heritage, natural and cultural resources to reinforce the local identity learn about the history of Lekeitio, with a double target: Tourists or visitors interested marine culture and Citizens of the municipality.
Key factors:- The city council is the promoter, the participation and consensus of all public and private agents was sought to ensure its continuity. - Collaboration with the entities owners of infrastructures to create synergies. - Integration within the supramunicipal plans: regional tourism plan, Basque costal tourism plan. - Collaborating with scientists allowed keep the essence of the heritage. - Work with citizens in the recovery of heritage
Expert opinion
The practice is a positive initiative focused on preservation and valorisation of cultural and natural heritage in a coastal area around a specific theme. The practice proved to be successful and resulted in economic gains such as rise in visitor numbers and creation of new jobs and businesses, and social benefits such as increased awareness among citizens of local identity and heritage. Involving stakeholders in the process and integration of the policy measures with other development plans are essential elements of the practice. Such approach is potentially of high interest to public bodies motivated to implement policies aimed at local heritage preservation and valorisation.
Resources needed
TOURIST DYNAMISATION PLAN: €100.000 - €200,000 € per year
HUMAN RESOURCES: Two technicians, 4 guide
Evidence of success
JOBS CREATED: 10.
No. PEOPLE CONTRACTED: 25.
COLLABORATING BUSINESSES: 53 businesses in different projects
EVOLUTION OF VISITORS: the visits to the tourist office have multiplied by 7.
NEW BUSINESSES: 8
Cultural point of view: the preservation of the resources that would disappear.
Social perspective: awareness of citizens in preservation for future generations.
Economic point of view: the creation of jobs
Potential for learning or transfer
Finally, a balance was sought between preservation and exploitation of the heritage. The basic criteria the authenticity and the experience shared with the visitor.
Key success factors:Restoration of the heritage based on the maritime identity of the locality, Tourism activity and interest of visitors in knowing our heritage, External recognition of the value of the project as a driving force for the internal recognition of the value of heritage by citizens and Understand the municipality as a whole and with identity
Lekeitio was a pioneer in the recovery of the heritage, his line of work was transferred to other municipalities, allowing to develop a thematic axis around the marine culture
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
LEA ARTIBAI GARAPEN AGENTZIA S.A.
