The “Use of Natural Heritage Eco-

Tourism” in 6 different regions of

Europe

October 22nd 2020

Portugal

July 2nd 2020

Eco tourism in Portugal:

In Portugal, the National Protected Areas Network (RNAP) NationalProtected Areas Network (RNAP) includes inland terrestrial andaquatic areas as well as marine areas where biodiversity or othernatural occurrences have, due to their rarity, scientific, ecological,social or scenic value.

We highlight the following types of protected areas:

o National Park;o Natural Park;o Natural Reserve;o Protected Landscape; ando Natural Monument.

The Natural Park of Serra de São Mamede covers a total area of56.000 hectares, presenting a great geological diversity, being thevegetation cover marked mainly by oak, chestnut, cork and holm oak.

São Mamede Peak, with 1027 meters, is the highest point.

Eco tourism in Alto Alentejo region:

Aligned with the theme «Nature», the Alentejo Feel Nature trail network runs along the slopes of Serra de São Mamede, developing, totally or partially, in spaces classified as Protected Areas or integrated in Natura 2000 Network, thus testifying its importance in terms of natural heritage, biodiversity and geodiversity.

The network of nature trails - Alentejo Feel Nature, structures the offer of walking routes of Alto Alentejo region, taking advantage of the diversity of this territory and has 36 «small route» walking paths, with 389km and 3 «big route» walking paths, with 126km. Altogether, and properly signposted, they sum up to 515 km, which can be covered in both directions, in total autonomy and safety, preferably between the months of September to June: http://inmotion.cimaa.pt/pt/percursos

Alto Alentejo territory has its own specific characteristics in terms ofecotourism, such as outdoor tourism. Serra de São Mamede must beconsidered as a common point and the associated tourism is veryparticular and different, as well as the wine tourism. It is alsoimportant to highlight the region's wealth in terms of cultural tourismand sports tourism.

Bulgaria

July 2nd 2020

Eco tourism in Bulgaria:

Established network of 3 national parks, 11 naturalparks, 89 reserves, over 2 200 natural landmarks and morethan 37 000 km of marked eco-trails.

Bulgaria is the first European country which in 1995 developedand adopted its own national strategy for biodiversity conservation.

Usually the local ecotourism service providers are small enterprises.

The main funding mechanism is Rural Development Programme.

The main approach supporting the ecotourism products andmarketingquality is the certification.

In recent years there has been an increase in the interestto ecotourism products as a specific segment of the internal market.

Eco tourism in Bulgaria:

The most important tools for the success of ecotourism in Bulgaria arethe product development, the advertisement and the marketing.

These activities must be carried out jointly by all stakeholders as usingthe most modern methods.

Of particular importance is the use of the multimedia systems andInternet for information and promotion of Bulgarian natural andcultural heritage.

All of these is especially up to date in the context of the globalpandemic of COVID-19 - the ecotourism as being practiced by smallgroups of people; marketing and advertising through digital channels.

Priority is given to the promotion of ecotourism products based onorganic farming and local products.

Slovenia

July 2nd 2020

Use of Natural Heritage in

Ecotourism in Zasavje

▪ Vast hill and forest areas - hiking, landscape parks, trekking, mountain biking, horse riding, bird watching, glamping.

▪ The Sava river - wild water kayaking, rafting, swimming in some calm parts of the river.

▪ Ponds - sport fishing.

▪ Farms with local offer of cuisine and activities; orchards, bee-keeping.

Natura 2000 and

Landscape Parks

▪ 7 Habitat Directives and 1 Birds Directive sites.

▪ Natura 2000 represents 39 % of the whole Trbovljemunicipality surface, 18 % of Hrastnik municipality surface, and 17 % of Zagorje ob Savi municipality surface, altogether almost 60 km2.

▪ Informative Natura 2000 signs at the sites.

▪ 2 landscape parks – Kum and Mrzlica – in Natura 2000; 2 sites – Kopitnik and Čemšeniška planina – proposed for a status of a landscape park.

Spain

July 2nd 2020

Situation of the

Eco-tourism in Teruel

In the province of Teruel we can highlight several areas that due totheir characteristics could be framed as good ecotourism practices,although in most cases, with a long way to go before reaching theirimprovement and greater tourist use, without detriment of theexisting resources.

In the province we have big examples in terms of agro-food so many ofour GP are linked to this point of attraction as this flavour is onlyavailable in this corner of the world. The majority of them are linkedwith natural spots as Geological park of UNESCO, bird watching inprotected areas, or mycological routes.

Examples

Now, we have selected 10 areas that we consider quite representative of the territory.

1. Gallocanta Lagoon. 2. Rodeno Protected Landscape 3. Aliaga Geological Park. 4. El Parrizal. Beceite ports Natural Park. 5. Mycological Routes 6. Saladas Observatory (Bajo Aragon). 7. Star Light Territory. 8. Green Tracks. 9. Slow driving – The Silence Route (shared managed by 2 counties) 10. La Ojinegra (example of good practices – private company)"

Ireland

July 2nd 2020

Eco-Tourism – Sperrin Mts

The Sperrin Mountains in north West Northern Ireland is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and contains many ASSI and SAC sites and therefore any tourism developments should be sustainable in terms of impact on the environment, impact on the visitor experience and long-term management and maintenance.

The opportunity exists to develop interpretation and educational activities in the mountains in a responsible and sustainable way.

RAMSAT will create ‘tourism hubs’ in partnership with the local community to create a compelling heritage experience for visitors and also improve the vibrancy of rural communities and villages.

River Kayak Tours in the Sperrins

The rivers of the Sperrin Mountains are closely linked to the story of the Atlantic salmon with many ancient myths associated with these fish. Wild Atlantic salmon kayak tours are being developed where visitors can experience the river environment and also learn about local culture

Moonlight kayaking tours also available. Animals tend to forage at night-time and a moonlight paddle is the ideal time to catch them. Accessible but dramatic locations are used for the moonlight paddles.

Romania

July 2nd 2020

Marginimea Sibiului (MS)

▪ Unique ethnographic region in Southern Transylvania, with rich cultural and natural capital

▪ 18 villages that gather more than 40.000 inhabitants, with a rich history in sheep breeding

▪ Big variety of local products: sheep cheese, sheep and porcmeat products, forest fruit products etc.

▪ In 2015, MS won the EDEN award – European Destination of Excellence in Tourism and Local Gastronomy

Marginimea Sibiului

▪ High density of natural habitats

▪ The largest surface of undivided spruce (Picea abies) forest in Romania

▪ More that 55% of the surface included in Natura 2000 protected area

▪ Athentic villages with local farmers + local producs known nation wide

Project smedia

Thank you!

Questions welcome