| Watertour - Issues |
Nov 2006 / 5 |
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The project WaterTour is due to conclude in June 2007 – however
the partners from Finland, Ireland, Hungary, Portugal and Germany
would like to continue its co-operation. Following project
programme of two years 25 water tourism experts presented concrete
results. The outcomes will be presented at a final meeting in May
2007. It is hoped that another project will be identified in
advance of this meeting to enable the strong working relationships
established between the international project partners to continue
in the future with new partners from future European Union
countries.
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Project target reached - Project shortly before conclusion |
Sesimbra. AFLOPS – Association of Forest Producers – hosted
the international meeting from 13th to 15th of September. Apart
from presenting marketing, communication and planning strategies
the partners discussed in detail a future co-operation. Several
topics were proposed for consideration: tourism in protected
areas, sustainable development strategies, quality management,
target group orientated marketing and consultation of small and
medium enterprises. Tourism activities should range from water
tourism, equestrian tourism to rural tourism.
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| This wide range of issues will be
formed into a new project application before the end of
WaterTour in June 2007. Future EUmember states are welcomed as
project partner! The participants at various stages of
development looked favourably on the project activities. The
project goal to exchange knowledge and experience and learning
from each other has been achieved. In doing so, the smaller
tourism service providers were afforded the opportunity of
looking over “the edge of plate” to find new ideas for product
variety and development.
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Participants in Sesimbra, Portugal
Presentation of the water tourism development concept for the
properties of AFLOPS
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Setúbal takes advantage from European partnership |
Sesimbra. An excursion
throughout the project region of AFLOPS highlighted the water
tourism characteristics. In the Sado’s estuary about ten
traditional ports - in many cases in advanced state of
degradation – were the object of a development master plan.
The idea is to compliment this maritime catwalk with services
and land-based products like accommodation facilities,
restaurants, hiking trails, regional products shops and
others. The most important relationships are with the
CostaTerra tourism marketing organisation, Comporta’s and
Montalvo’s Farm, the Association of the Resorts of the
Alentejo coast, Setúbal and Sesimbra municipalities and the
administration of the Setúbal Port.
Wine tour at Quinta de Catralvos -> |
Porto palafita da Carrasqueira
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Päijät-Häme Harbour Service Signs and Regional Brochure Guiding
Waterway Tourists |
Lahti. The Lahti region is the gate to the Finnish
Lakeland. Lake Vesijärvi, on whose shore the city of Lahti is
located, is connected to the more extensive waterway area of Lake
Päijänne by the Vääksy canal. Lake Päijänne is the third largest
lake in Finland. A cruise tourist or a waterway tourist travelling
individually has the opportunity to travel almost 400 km from the
south to the north.
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| In the province of Päijät-Häme,
guide signs are being erected in the harbours of Lake
Vesijärvi and Vääksy Harbour on Lake Päijänne to inform
boaters of the services provided in the harbours. The maps
show all the services in the harbours and close to them by
means of symbols. Furthermore, the waterway map lists the
services provided in the harbours of the region in order to
arrange ones trip and also, to lure boaters from the north to
the south, from Lake Päijänne to Lake Vesijärvi.
Lahti Travel Ltd is currently designing a new regional
brochure that will include a separate waterway tourism
section. This section will present, for example, the services
in the harbours of our waterway region, opportunities for
cycling and canoeing as well as other services and sites
important for tourists along our waterways.
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Signpost for harbours
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Integrated signposting system for water tourism infrastructure |
Vorpommern. The official symbol of the so called Yellow Wave
certifies nationwide marina, harbours and landing stages. The
advantages of this sign posting system for tourists include better
recognition of the berths, a warm welcome, and information about
the facilities and tourism attractions. The service providers
benefit from advertisement in water tourism guides, nationwide
public relation work, fair attendance and links with the official
website of the Yellow Wave.
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Information given by pictograms
include: placename, precise position, number of berths,
service facilities, land-based tourism attractions and next
landing stages. Eight harbours and landing stages in the
region registered for a signpost.
Signpost at a coastal marina ->
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Tourism experts exploring water tourism potential of Vorpommern |
The Tourism Board Vorpommern invited tourism experts on a
waterway excursion. It is important for tourism service
providers to know much more than their own products and
services. Participants had the opportunity to get to know a
wide range of regional water tourism products as well as
getting in touch with other experts of the branch.
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Cast off for tourism experts!
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| Thank
you and see you next time… |
Thank you very much all regional tourism
experts and project stakeholders from Germany, Finland, Ireland,
Hungary and Portugal!We hope to continue our
cooperation in the new 2007-2013 programming period for EU
structural funds. Common projects are already in preparation. New
ideas and project proposal are welcomed at any time!
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Contact address for additional information |
WaterTour project coordination
c/o Gesellschaft für Tourismusentwicklung Vorpommern mbH
Fischstr. 11
D – 17489 Greifswald
Tel. +49 (0) 3834 891 132
Fax +49 (0) 3834 981 130
E-mail: getev@getev.de
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