Reisepavillon 2009

From 26 Feb - 2 March, the EUROPARC Federation participated in the Reisepavillon 2009 – an international alternative travel fair – at a joint stand with the TUI AG and Charter protected areas from France and Italy.

Holiday fun and environmental with social responsibility? Of course! The Reisepavillon has offered a platform for sustainable tourism since 1991, bringing together tourism businesses and nature conservationists looking out for the interests of holiday destinations and their guests.

Discovering and “tasting” Charter areas

Three Charter areas presented their tourism products with EUROPARC at the trade fair: The Association Rhin Vivant promoted a variety of leisure activities and holidays, which respect the protected natural environment of the Rhine valley and the sustainable development of the region. “Parks without frontiers” was the motto of the joint presentation of Mercantour (F) and Alpi Marittime (I). The two parks provide information on the areas and were joined by the local tour operator Destination Merveilles that carries out guided hiking tours in the Mercantour National Park. Local producers working in partnership with the Charter areas attracted many visitors with honey, sheep's cheese, rye beer, olive oil and spread produced in the areas.

Partnership and networking
EUROPARC was able to strengthen already existing co-operations and establish new contacts with attending organisations at the fair. The joint stand with the TUI AG, for example, reconfirmed the partnership between the two organisations that began over 10 years ago. Further, the European Charter was presented at a workshop and round table discussion for the project ECO Destinet and contacts were a group of representatives from South-East Asia who wanted to find out more about sustainable tourism management in European protected areas.