Sustainable active tourism – mountain communities leading Europe in finding innovative solutions
Follow up our debates on-line
Our conference was held on 27-28 September in Inverness and was attended by some participants from 14 European countries. The plenary discussions were recorded and can be webstreamed here: http://www.highland.public-i.tv/core/. (on the page that opens, both days are included and are identified in the right hand margin).
Background
Europe’s mountain environments provide unique and diverse tourism venues with a range of well recognised products. Mountain entrepreneurs have continued to develop new tourism products that attract more and more people to mountain areas every year. However, the recent economic crisis, the impacts of climate change and strong competition combine to have a significant negative impact on mountain tourism.
In this context, it was obvious that Euromontana members have a word to say. This event will launch the Euromontana position paper with recommendations to support the promotion of sustainable tourism in mountain areas.
© : Isobel McCallum
Why Sustainable Active Tourism?
Mountain communities have been instrumental in Europe’s tourism history in developing products and resources that have encouraged health, discovery, adventure and engaging with different cultures. The concept of Active Tourism blends these particular features.
Definition of active tourism:
Active Tourism is a philosophy that combines adventure, ecotourism and cultural tourism in journeys or visits of discovery. Active Tourism is low-impact, ecological, socially compatible and high quality. Active Tourism aims to combine recreation and education, bringing benefits to both the tourist and the visited communities. Active Tourism has many aspects in common with ecotourism and nature tourism and it also integrates some activities of action and adventure tourism. Additionally it also includes aspects of cultural tours, academic and scientific expeditions. (Source: Active Tourism)
Documents
You can consult the conference conclusions here (policy recommendations to foster sustainable tourism in mountain areas).
Have a look at the conference brochure.
We have realised for this occasion a background document on sustainable mountain tourism, that is available here.
It contains a review of the concepts and the results of a survey that has been undertaken amongst Euromontana members together with an analysis of tourism policies at various levels. This paper is not a scientific paper and does not pretend to be exhaustive: its objective is to feed our discussions during these two conference days and beyond.
Press
The press release announcing the event is available here.
Presentations from speakers
The pdf version of the presentation can be seen by clicking on the title of the intervention.
Tuesday 27th of September
Morning: Introduction to the concepts
09.15 Welcome and introduction by:
- Sandy Park, The Highland Council Councillor
- André Marcon, Euromontana president
09.45 How can European policy promote sustainability in mountain tourism? EuropeanCommission DG Environment, Paula Cristina Gomes, Unit C1 Sustainable Production & Consumption
10.05 Austrian Tourism Strategy and the place given to the Alps, Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth, Anton Zimmermann, head of the tourism policy department
10.30 Coffee Break
11.00 Sustainable tourism through working with local partners - achieving a balanced and practical solution to sustainability issues – Duncan Bryden, Convener, Cairngorms National Park Authority Planning Committee
11.20 Adventure sports and sustainable management of mountain playgrounds - Balancing survival of communities with the loss of mountain landscapes, Mr. Petter Braaten, Manager of the National Park of Hallingskarvet, Norway
11.40 Climate Change and its impact on tourism in the Alpine Space (CLIMAPLTOUR project), presentation of possible adaptation strategies identified within the project, Andrea Pozzi, ERSAF- Lombardy Region, Italy
© : Isobel McCallum
Afternoon workshops
Workshop and study visit 1:Diversification of traditional mountain tourism
Study trips and interventions from the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Cairngorm Mountain.
European intervention from ARPE (Agency for sustainable development in Midi-Pyrenees), New cross-borders activities to diversify the tourism offer: winter sports and thermalism in the Pyrenees, Thierry Percie du Sert
Workshop and study visit 2:Tools and support to local communities: what help is needed to lead and promote the initiatives of mountain communities?
Study trips and interventions were given by the Forestry Commission Scotland.
Workshop and study visit 3: Exploiting the cultural values of mountain areas
The study tour explored the Moray Firth coast, where mountains meet the sea. Participants also visited the famous Culloden battle field.
During the workshop European interventions were also given by:
- Neamt County Council, Romania, Patrimonial heritage as a tool to promoting a region outside the country borders, Danut Gitan and Viorel Latu
- The Walk of Peace, Soça Valley Foundation, Slovenia, Exploiting the benefits of certification labels – example of the EDEN network, managed by the European Commission, Masa Klavora
Wednesday 28th of September
Feedback from the workshops and policy recommendations
Chair for the morning: Martin Price, Director of the Centre for Mountain Studies, Perth College, University of Highlands & Islands, Scotland
09.00 Introduction to the day and the schedule of events
09.10 Feedback from the workshops by rapporteurs
09.40 Policy opportunities to foster sustainable tourism, Riddell Graham, Director of Partnerships, Visit Scotland
09.55 Response from the business sector to the plenary and workshops findings: Andreas Wenzel, Secretary General of the European Ski Federation, Caroline Warburton, Manager of Wild Scotland
10:30 Coffee Break
11.00 ‘Question Time Panel’
Chair: Professor Dr. Peter Varley, School of Adventure Studies, University of Highlands & Islands, Scotland
Panel:
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André Marcon, president of Euromontana and manager of a tourism business in Central Massif, France
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Regula Imhof, Vice-Secretary General of the Alpine Convention
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Riddell Graham, Director of the partnerships Visit Scotland
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Claude Comet, Regional councillor in charge of the tourism, mountains and parks, within the Rhône-Alpes region, France
- Chantal Bunel-Delarche, Director of the department tourism, mountains and parks, within the Rhône-Alpes region, France
12.30 Closing remarks from the organisers, presentation of Euromontana’s policy recommendations to support sustainable tourism in mountain areas, Councillor Isobel McCallum, The Highland Council, André Marcon, president of Euromontana
12.45 End of the seminar
What did you think about our event?
We have prepared a short questionnaire of evaluation of our event that we would kindly ask you to fill in, if you haven't done it so far. It can be accessed here and it will not take more than 5 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance.
If you need more information about this event, please contact Ancuta PASCA or Birte VIETOR.
