A further step in the ongoing cooperation between the museum and the cluster in the field of industrial tourism

The Bus a Cegues organised by XATIC (the Industrial Tourism Network of Catalonia) has visited the Igualada leather ecosystem, organised by the Museu de la Pell d’Igualada with the collaboration of Leather Cluster Barcelona.

The Industrial Tourism Network of Catalonia brings together the widest industrial tourism offer in Catalonia.

XATIC brought the Bus a Cegues with residents of Barcelona, Terrassa and Manresa who chose this activity without knowing what they would be doing. It is an unusual adventure, a surprise itinerary. Participants only know the name of the route, the departure time and the arrival time. A unique opportunity to explore industrial tourism in Catalonia in a different and exciting way.

Under the title Indústria Viva i Artesania a l’Anoia (Living Industry and Craftsmanship in the Anoia), in the morning the visitors learned about the leather industry in Igualada and in the afternoon they went to Sant Martí de Tous to see the workshops of local artisans.

First thing in the morning, the Bus a Cegues participants were welcomed in the auditorium of the Museu de la Pell d’Igualada, where they were able to learn about the Rec district through a screening of the video RECorreguts.

They then attended a presentation of Leather Cluster Barcelona by Mònica Santamans. The project manager gave an introduction to the cluster and its activities and projects and explained the nature and origin of leather, focusing on the leather sector as a key player in the circular economy and sustainable fashion.

Afterwards they took a guided visit to the Badia and Miret tanneries led by Miquel Vila, where they were able to see the leather manufacturing process live and to discover how the leather industry is a key player in the circular economy, recovering and recycling a by-product of the food sector so that it does not become waste and turning it into elegant, noble products that are useful to society.

With activities such as the Bus a Cegues, the Museu de la Pell d’Igualada and Leather Cluster Barcelona promote industrial tourism. Experiences of this kind are key to generating a positive current of opinion about the leather sector among the public.

In this respect, the Museu de la Pell d’Igualada, as the cluster’s benchmark member in culture and history, is an important ambassador and a significant player in tackling the great communication challenge of conveying a positive message about leather and its industry to the population in general and to consumers in particular.

Leather Cluster Barcelona is a competitive cooperation environment for promoting cross-cutting, transformative strategic projects with the aim of driving forward the ecosystem of the Catalan leather sector within the framework of Shared Value policies. The cluster is an accredited body within the Catalonia Clusters programme and has the support of Acció.