Results of the project Destination Mountain for Sila National Park, Italy

The Destination Mountain project, Development of Sustainable Tourism: Initiatives for the valorization of Mountain, came to a close in October this year. The aim of the project was to promote sustainable tourism development in forestry areas and protected natural areas, located in Calabria, within Sila National Park. The project partners were the Province of Cosenza (lead partner, IT), Metsähallitus (FI), City of Dealu (RO) and the Municipality of Region Calabria (IT).  

Results included a series of research studies; an international conference; several guided tours into the Sila Park; a workshop about forest resources; a publication about the Sila National Park edited by Afore ARSSA; and the exchange of best practices with Finland. 

From the 13^th – 15^th a number of study visits took place in the park. On 13th of October partners visited the Museum of Olive Oil, the Rural Life Adventure Park and the exhibition "Footprints in the Park" in Zagarise. Afterwards the President and Director of the Park, Sonia Ferrari, and Michael Laudati gave a presentation in the Visitor Center "Cupone" about the main characteristics of Sila’s protected areas. They also told participants about the guidelines of EUROPARC’s "European Charter for Sustainable Tourism", which was awarded this year to Sila National Park by EUROPARC.

Receiving the Charter is very important not just for the national park but for the whole region of Calabria because it can contribute significantly to the economic development of the region. Finally a scientific exhibition of mushrooms and medicinal plants found in the area of ?? the park was opened to public, together with information about the instruments required for sustainable forest management by the Silan Mycological Natural Group and the Provincial Order of the Doctors of Agronomy and Forestry of Cosenza.

On the 14th and 15th of October, participants visited Sila Grande. Here the most beautiful places of the Calabrian plateau can be found. These include Lake Arvo, Lorica, the Stunt Park "SilAvventura", "the Giants of Fallistro": these natural monuments of the ancient forest are pine trees, Selva brutia, of majestic proportions that are hundreds of years old.

The project was part of the mini-program Robinwood Plus and funded under the INTERREG IVC programme with the Italian Regions of Liguria and Calabria, the Regional Council of Limousin (FR), Regional Authority of Kainuu (FI), the Regional Council of Harghita (RO).