Forest-based Ecotourism: Rothaarsteig & Transcarpathian Hiking Trail, 12-2010
Development of sustainable tourism and the role of wood in the creation of a genuine experience for hiking tourists were the main issues of an IN2WOOD meeting held in Schmallenberg, Sauerland...
(North-Rhine Westphalia – NRW, DE) on December 9th, 2010.
Participants from
Dr. Harald Knoche presented the history and actual status of the Rothaarsteig Hiking Trail, followed by an introduction into „Sustainable Regional Development with Eco Tourism“ (Dr. Dagmar Everding) and Natalya Voloshyna’s captivating illustration of the Transcarpathian Hiking Trails. An overview on the LEADER region Hochsauerland by Verena Traumann concluded the mutual introductions.
Ms. Everding introduced the concept of the European Long Distance Hiking trail network , and pointed out that whole South East Europe is – up to now - not connected to this network. She added, that an extension towards South East Europe would be beneficial for regional development by stimulating eco tourism projects. Following her vision, a number of local to regional trails in
The round table participants emphasized that sustainable eco-tourism represents an ideal tool to preserve and effectively use forest resources along with improving the local economic development. Besides these local benefits, promoting wood and wood products via ecotourism experienceshas much greater effects: Beautiful (Unique) woods of the world can be (may become) popular travel destinations of the future, thus conveying the multiple functions of the natural resource forest to a wider public. These functions have to be highlighted by information and personal mentoring (by official rangers, as practised at the Rothaarsteig) and could be further improved by e.g. accommodations for hikers using timber frame construction.
The Ukrainian and German partners will try to build an international cooperation between the two trails and the related forest management administrations.
Several joint activities were discussed:
- Mentoring: Training provided by Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz/Rothaarsteig rangers to the Ukrainian colleagues on development of hiking trails, small trail infrastructures and services for tourists and on the successful promotion of a forest-specific set of values
- Best practice exchange on Trail Markings, the implementation of a Hiking Orientation System, and Trail Maintenance
- Development of an (East-West) Network of Wood Hiking Trails including a joint platform for forest field-excursions and forest hiking with connection to the European long distance hikes
- Joint development of demonstration activities for “Living with and in the Wood”
The next steps to develop further cooperation will be taken within IN2WOOD, additional financing means will be searched by the partners.
Participants:
Dr. Harald Knoche, head of the administrative office Rothaarsteigverein e.V
Lesya Loyko, head of FORZA NGO
Radmila Ustych, manager of economic sector of FORZA NGO
Natalya Voloshyna, manager of community development and sustainable tourism sector of FORZA NGO
Dr. Dagmar Everding, state chancellery NRW, dept. of regional development
Verena Traumann, manager of LEADER program in region Hochsauerland
Volker Holtkämper, director wood industry, Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW
Christof Hartmann, project manager, Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW
Ralf Schmidt, Rothaarsteig official ranger
Roland Oberwimmer, Holzcluster Steiermark GmbH, project coordinator IN2WOOD
Events
