A core group of members are now working to put ECTN on a permanent footing funded through membership subscriptions with the creation of an international association under Belgium law with a formal board.
To progress the aims of the network it is suggested that below a central coordinating board there will be 3 working groups:

Research group led by Barcelona University (Spain)
This group will seek to work collaboratively on research to improve our understanding of the contribution that cultural tourism makes to regional economies, the role that it plays in stimulating the creative industries and the behaviour and motivations of cultural tourists. It will also help identify suitable benchmarks to assist with the development of destination models. It is envisaged that this group would consist of a network of universities and HE establishments with an interest in cultural tourism.
The network could seek funding from the 7th framework to fund collaborative research and from other EU funding regimes for student and staff exchanges.

Practitioners Group led by South West Tourism (England)
To exchange best practice, and to work collaboratively on the development of practical tools to improve the planning and management of cultural tourism destinations. An early priority is to work with Europa Nostra on an eco label for sustainable cultural tourism destinations and the development of a bench marking system to support this. Again project funding will need to be sought to fund these projects.

Policy group led by Region Vastra Gotaland (Sweden)
This group will utilise the evidence from the research and practitioner groups to influence policy makers working alongside regional politicians.