Veneto Region takes part in Alternative Tourism workshop
On November 20, partners from Veneto Region participated at an Alternative Tourism workshop, held in Vittorio Veneto by Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform.
Alternative tourism aims to be both socially and economically responsible and contribute to the balanced development of hosting communities.
These strategies not only respond to the challenges of mass tourism, such as its negative impact on destinations, local communities, and the environment: they can also highlight how lesser-known places can showcase their unique offerings and stand out as desirable destinations.
This workshop provided the opportunity to share with other attendees coming from several parts of Europe a concrete initiative to work on tourism development in alternative ways.
CHERRY Project has been mentioned as one of the example of the ongoing projects impacting on tourism.
The agenda was rich with meaningful speeches, and provided the occasion to have a structured exchange of knowledge with themed group-work moments.
Alberto Ferri and Jumana El Tabch illustrated the outcomes of Local Flavours Project, developed in Vittorio Veneto territory.
Elena dell'Agnese, Professor of Geography at University of Milan-Bicocca, proposed a reflection on what is commonly meant for "alternative" tourism and if this is what we want/need in our territories.
Greg Richards, Professor of Placemaking and Events at Breda University of Applied Sciences shared a vision regarding Creative tourism, in which a carefully designed touristic offer can bring great benefits even to less considered territories while at the same time elevating the quality of the proposed experiences. These aspects are currently being developed by CROCUS Project.
Eva Koljera, Head of Āraiši Ezerpils Archaeological Park talked about Legends of Āraiši, where local community as a whole has been involved in valorizing the Archaeological Park building an integrated network linking guides, craftsmens, food and souvenir makers and accommodation providers.
Zília Tovar, Officer at Economic Development Unit of Region de Coimbra (Tourism4SDG Project), presented the Starlight tourism destination certification, developed to distinguish less developed and sparsely populated areas as suitable locations for astrotourism, involving and specifically training local authorities and touristic hosts.
Dorian Lungu, founder of Gastro Local Association, Romania, presented this bottom-up project that allowed to build a network of Local Gastronomic Points spread across the countryside that offer, at local households but in compliance with law-imposed hygienic standards, the opportunity to taste traditional meals made with local products.
Igor Vapenski, Tour de Fruška project manager, gave a glimpse of this three-day event designed to promote and raise awareness of the importance and protection of Fruška Gora National Park; the event is a sports fest with bicycle races, trail runs, music, gastronomic specialities and workshops.