Nordeifel

Reason for taking the good practice action/ Issues and challenge

Methods /steps / tools used (to develop the good practice)

CATEGORY: SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY

In recent years, the mobility offer for tourists has greatly improved as a result of substantial stakeholder engagement. New local public transport links have been established and demand-responsive schemes, such as taxibus services and share taxis, have been consolidated and the provision of hire stations for cycles and pedelecs (pedal electric cycles) expanded. Bus connections to the fully accessible Wild Kermeter area for experiencing nature and, since 2017, the Eifelsteig hiking bus are new additions. Day visitors, overnights guests based at one location but also long-distance hikers are equally attracted by the new offer. Another scheme designed for tourists is the GuestCard. It enables guests who have booked overnight accommodation with participating businesses to use local public transport free of charge within the Rhein-Sieg and other networks and also benefit from discounts and/or additional services currently provided by more than 30 tourism partners.

Finalist of the Federal Competition Sustainable Tourism Destinations in Germany (2016/2017)

Lessons learned,

Challenges met,

Critical success factors

Sustainable tourism planning

Working closely with tourism industry partners, destination managers have pursued a variety of strategies in recent years in order to develop the North Eifel as a sustainable tourism region. The tourism infrastructure has been continuously upgraded in order to meet target groups’ demand for a very special experience of nature. For example, premium hiking trails have been created, such as the Eifelsteig and the fully accessible Wild Kermeter area for experiencing nature. The Eifel National Park also attracts visitors with an interest in the nocturnal, for the region has been awarded official Dark Sky Park status – only the second in Germany – and offers guided night-time nature walks and star-gazing. Some hosts have volunteered for “starfriendly” status, which means that they are responsive to the requests and needs of guests taking part in evening or night-time tourism activities.

Protecting and experiencing nature

defined quality criteria. The region has many years of experience in working in close partnership with nature conservation stakeholders. This collaboration always produces  new and exciting offers, such as Eifel trekking, which gives guests the exclusive opportunity to camp at specially selected sites in the midst of nature. The precise locations are kept under wraps until a booking has been made.

Partner networks

Various Partner networks ensure the provision of ecofriendly tourism services with a strong regional connection. The network of National Park Hosts has existed since the Eifel National Park was first established. In order to qualify for the scheme, Hosts must fulfil various optional and mandatory criteria, focusing on quality and sustainability. All the Partner businesses feel a special commitment to the Eifel National Park’s mission statement and have introduced their own sustainable management practices.

Products and services sold under the EIFEL regional brand stand for certified quality. Hosts can also display the brand label: a yellow “e”. However, this is only awarded to businesses that have a transparent, proven and audited commitment to quality and regionality. All the participating businesses are conscious of their responsibility to the Eifel natural space and are committed to honouring their quality pledge. The KlimaTour Eifel (Eifel Climate Tour) network is actively engaged in protecting the climate, showcasing businesses with a small carbon footprint and featuring specific tourism offers; guests can also calculate the climate footprint for their own visit.

Stakeholder training

The text above has been taken from the Report “Sustainable Tourism Destinations in Germany”: https://www.deutschertourismusverband.de/fileadmin/Mediendatenbank/Bilder/Impulse/Nachhaltigkeit_Englisch.pdf

Lighthouse project: Cycle and Hike Railway Stations radundwanderbahnhoefe-eifel.de

National marketing:http://www.germany.travel/en/leisure-and-recreation/natural-landscapes/eifel-national-park.html

More information about the North Eifel: http://www.nordeifel-tourismus.de/en/startseite