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Folder Nominations of Pilot Destinations

 

20 Nominations for VISTAS 2014

For the VISTAS launch 2014 the Coastal Union, EDEN association and Alpine Pearls network nominated 21 destinations. The nominations are presented in seven editions of the weekly Visions/Travelmole news channel and on this site with short decriptions and access to further information. 

Nominated by the Coastal Union (Quality Coast Awards)

  • Katwijk is a family tourism destination in the Netherlands that is received the QualityCoast Award. Katwijk is creating an underground car park under the sand dunes that are actually protecting the place against the sea. Moreover, they promote local products and all their camp sites have an eco-label. Read more

  • The Azores islands are a spectacular geological area that has the QualityCoast Gold Award. The islands have clean beaches and over 60 pedestrian and bike trails. It’s one of the best European destinations for whale and dolphin watching. Recent Geotourism development and creation of a Geopark conserves the volcanic landscapes. Read more

  • Koksijde is a coastal town in Flanders (Belgium) with many recreational facilities, awarded QualityCoast Gold. Nature and culture are very important for the locals. Koksijde did its best to preserve the local identity of Oostduinkerke town, and especially of the traditional horseback shrimp fishing, which is very characteristic for Koksijde. Read more

  • Baiona in Galicia (Spain) received the QualityCoast Gold Award in 2013. Its medieval historical center is listed by the UNESCO. Baiona has special regulations to protect water resources, natural areas and the coastline from excessive urban pressure and development. Two beaches were declared and signposted “smoke-free”, the first in Galicia. Read more

  • Alonissos (Greece) is a small island where people still find a traditional Greek experience. Its rich nature, true cultural identity and great offer of local food make Alonissos QualityCoast Gold Destination.  Marine conservation is an important issue for the island. Beside Specific fishing rules, the surrounding waters are 100% protected. Read more

  • Lagos (Portugal), that has the QualityCoast Gold, is a historic town settled in 2000 BC in the region of the Algarve. The locals organise many markets, festivals and cultural events to preserve its heritage. Implementing environmental sustainable practices in the hospitality sector and supporting emission reduction are other import issues for the city. Read more

  • Goedereede (Netherlands), is a town with traditional style buildings dating back to the Middle Ages. The area is a great natural beauty. The town runs projects to promote renewable energy. Additionally, GO-Elektro, a sustainable mobility option provides the opportunity to rent electric scooters. It won the QualityCoast Award. Read more

  • Gozo (Malta) - or Ghawdex (Awdesch) as it is locally known - is the second largest island in the Maltese archipelago with a commitment towards sustainability.  Developed just enough to guarantee a sustainable economic activity, Gozo is a masterpiece wrought by nature and shaped through 7000 years of culture. Read more

  • Cascais (Portugal) offers visitors a rare mix of nature, history and culture, wonderful beaches and luxury facilities. It received a QualityCoast Award 2013. Promoting soft mobility, Cascais offers tourists to rent bicycles free-of-charge. Two innovative nature restoration projects greatly enhance the rich coastal biodiversity of the area, supporting excellent education and information facilities. Read more

  • Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli (Italy), is a regional nature park near Pisa, Tuscany, presenting a variety of wetlands, woodlands and dunes. 95% of the park is nature area, a most famous bird area hosting over 200 species. All public beaches have an excellent bathing water, and special facilities for disabled. It won a QualityCoast Award in 2012. Read more

  • The Portuguese West Region (Oeste), that has a QualityCoast Award 2013, offers a unique combination of traditional wine cultivation, Ecological and Agriculture Reserves, and a number of wonderful coastal towns and resorts, e.g. Nazaré, Peniche and Santa Cruz. The Project "Accessible Beach" makes about 16 beaches accessible to people with disabilities. Read more

  • Noordwijk (Netherlands), a QualityCoast Gold destination since 2007, is surrounded by clean beaches, rich dunes, and in spring: tulip fields. Noordwijk was the first town with a "dike-in-dune": the seaward sand dunes were reinforced with a sea defence wall, under the sand. This preserves the ecology and the landscape. Read more

    Ameland (Netherlands), awarded QualityCoast Gold, is a Dutch island in the UNESCO Wadden Sea area. It has a total nature area of ca. 75% and 100% marine protected area. Local identity and culture is demonstrated through museums or festivals. Ameland preserved its traditional way of making mustard in the local windmill, now a tourist attraction. Read more

    Westvoorne (Netherlands), awarded QualityCoast Gold, is rich in biodiversity and historical buildings, including a lighthouse from 1630. Near the beach you can find an ecologically sustainable restaurant (Aan Zee), built with natural and efficient materials, using solar and wind energy. The food is prepared with local ingredients and cooked in wooden stoves. Read more

  •  Schouwen-Duiveland (Netherlands) with its rich nature and animal life is a popular family destination awarded the QualityCoast Gold. This is the right place for bird watchers and nature seekers. An environmentally friendly transport service is available during the peak season aiming to reduce the use of private cars, traffic jams and emissions. Read more

  • Fuerteventura, Canary islands (Spain) is a Biosphere Reserve, awarded QualityCoast Gold in 2012. Promotion of sustainable transport has resulted into 225 km bike lanes. Since 2006, Fuerteventura is restoring its turtle population. Also the island is included in the UNESCO Starlight Reserve concept that develops astronomy and nightscape-based tourism products to observe the stars. Read more

  • Paphos district (Cyprus), awarded QualityCoast Gold is the mythical birthplace of Goddess Aphrodite. Its antiquities brought Paphos on the UNESCO list. The region provides opportunities for bird watching, climbing, walking trails, and excursions to rural areas. And it has excellent beaches. Sustainability efforts include a project for plastic reduction in hotels. Read more

Nominated by Alpine Pearls

  • Werfenweng (Austria)- eco-friendly holidays in the Salzburger Land Gentle mobility enables guests to enjoy a car-free vacation, while still being completely mobile. Werfenweng organizes perfect train connections for your journey, and upon arrival guarantees local mobility by means of electric vehicles and e-cars, horse-drawn carriages, electric taxis, etc. Read more

 

Nominated by the EDEN Asociation (EDEN Innovation Prize)

  • Belgium is a foodie hotspot, but it can be difficult to find the best local artisanal products - unless you happen to visit the small town of Durbuy. Everybody knows it. Cohesive food network/restaurants, producers, chefs, recipes, gifts, key product & image 0km food is a big advantage to keep the brand alive. Read more

  • Kuldiga (Latvia) ventured in a massive project with innovative sustainable tourism products able to transform a beautiful (but unknown) area and in an multi-activitites tourism destination. Read more