Charter Network Meeting 2009
VIth Charter Network Meeting in Capileira, SPAIN
The annual European Charter Meeting is the most important networking activity for the Charter Areas, Charter Candidates, Charter Partner Businesses and other interested protected areas or organisations. It is a platform for all people involved in the Charter Network to exchange experiences and know-how and to find out, how the Charter is implemented in other areas and countries.
This year this lively meeting took place in Capileira, located in the the middle of the Alpujarra Mountains in the natural area of Sierra Nevada in Spain. 140 participants from all the countries involved in the Charter Network joined the plenary and working group sessions that were filled with interesting presentations and intensive discussions on the various parts of the European Charter, e.g. the implementation of Charter Part II, experience about re-evaluation, how to start the Charter process. For the first time a notable number of local tourism businesses as well as tour operators were represented and actively intervening in the discussions.
The dialogue in the working groups led to a series of conclusions and recommendations which were put together in a final report that can be downloaded on this website. Of course, there was also time to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Sierra Nevada. Three excursions were organised, the climbing of the Mulhacen for the advanced adventurers, a hike on the newly opened long distance track Sulayr (Arabic for “mountains of the sun”) and a bus tour visiting local Charter Partners.
The local TV station Tierras Altas has made a short documentary on the Charter Meeting. Have a look:
Opening session:
Ongoing and future activities of the European Charter, Petra DIPPOLD, EUROPARC Federation
Club de Productos, Ricardo BLANCO, Tourespana, Secretaría de Estado de Turismo
Innovative Initiatives, Mercedes AGUILAR, Foundation for Formation and Employment of Andalusia (FAFFE)
A tour operator's perspective, Mike BRAUNER, TUI AG
