Interregional Conference 7 th of February 2012 Gozo, Malta

1. Regional Committee for Tourism Development of Auvergne (France), lead partner 2. Shannon Development (Ireland) 3. South Transdanubian Regional Development Agency (Hungary) 4. Provincial government of Valladolid (Spain) 5. City of Lahti (Finland) 6. Ministry for Gozo (Malta) 7. Regional Development Agency Mura Ltd. (Slovenia) 7 partners, 7 countries

Main issue addressed by the project How to increase the attractiveness of rural regions regarding eco friendly tourist investors? A need and a will to develop the regional economy thanks to the creation of tourist companies

Different aspects of the problematic 5 main issues to deal with: Economic development of the rural areas Environment protection Modernization of the tourist positioning of the regions involved in the project Improvement of the tourist supply marketing Creation of a new way of consuming “green” tourism.

Methodology of the project Identification of good practices at the public policy level Exchange and dissemination of those good practices Improvement of the public policies dedicated to tourist development

Project time plan 1.Analysis of the public policies in the partner regions: Second semester 2010 and first semester Exchanges between partners (study visits, technical meetings): Second semester 2010 and first semester Regional meetings with tourist actors and investors: Second semester Publication of a “recommendations book”: First semester End of the project: December 2012

Good practices identified during the study visit in Valladolid (Spain) Paradores: State owned accommodation company Tourism policy instrument which projects the image of modernity and quality of our tourism abroad and which contributes to the territorial integration, to the recovery and maintenance of Historical and Artistic Heritage and to the conservation and enjoyment of natural areas, all the while functioning as a driving force behind the set of revitalising actions in areas with reduced tourism or economic activity

Good practices identified during the study visit in Valladolid (Spain) Finca Matallana tourist center A multidisciplinary visitors center dedicated to heritage, agriculture, lanscape… Various “profit centers”: top quality restaurant, school tourism facilities (dormitories, dedicated restaurant…) alladolid.es/turismo/centro sturisticos/7/matallana

Rules for investment orientation in Villány Context: High investment pressure and/or high land pressure Objective: protecting the local economy against mass investment Solution: 25 bedrooms maximum per accommodation Good practices identified during the study visit in Pécs region (Hungary)

Niche markets targetting: Tógazda Hunting Lodge Specific facilities: hunters entrance and dressing room Specific safari activities Wellness offer Good practices identified during the study visit in Pécs (Hungary)

Energy Efficiency Agreement Long term agreement on a voluntary basis Signed between Ministry for Economy and businesses Objective: enhancing energy efficiency Public subsidies: 40 % of the cost of an energy analysis and 30 % for investments that improve energy efficiency Commitment: to make its energy use more efficient when ever possible and to report it's development on a regular basis (once a year) Good practices identified during the study visit in Lahti (Finland)

Carbon footprint policy Model for lowering carbon foot print of accommodation businesses Created with the help of pilot accommodation businesses Includes a carbon foot print calculation for the pilot businesses, and the creation of an environmental handbook for tourism businesses. Good practices identified during the study visit in Lahti (Finland)

Located on Shannon Regions West Coast - Single largest tourism development ever established in the West of Ireland Developed Owned & operated by US based Kiawah Development Partners of South Carolina (investment ≈ 100 million €) Greg Norman designed 18 hole links championship golf course developed with positive environmental outcome in sensitive area 5 Star Doonbeg Lodge complex - 75 luxury suites and cottages (218 bedrooms), Hospitality Marquee, Golf Clubhouse, Health Spa. Good practices identified during the study visit in the Burren (Ireland) Investors attraction – Doonbeg project

The Burren Ecotourism Network 18 tourism businesses Rigorous training and assessment programme Committed to local produce, conservation and the community, as well as to continuing high standards in sustainability “Ecotourism destination” certification (only 2 in Ireland) Good practices identified during the study visit in the Burren (Ireland)

The rural tourist clusters: example of Amon Estate Eco-golf + restaurant + accommodation + winery Various profit centers + more attractive Good practices identified during the study visit in Slovenia

Eco-approach in Bled camp site (Sava Hotels and Resorts) Green team among employees, benchmarking trips Environmental policy: 10% discount if the customers do not use their car during their stay Innovative “glamping” concept Good practices identified during the study visit in Slovenia

Example of successful public/private partnership: Lac du Pêcher Ecolodge Fragile nature area / environmental approach Building renovated by the public authority 60 years long emphyteutic lease (rights of tenant = owner’s rights) Accommodation furbished by the tenant Good practices identified during the study visit in Auvergne (France)

Nattitude: an integrated strategy The approach, in order to gather existing accommodations The programme, created to influence accommodation creations or refurbishments The public subsidies dedicated to the investments support Many policy tools: frame of reference, tests, list of ideas, technical meetings, study visits, project calls, regional technical group, promotion plan, press relations, Website, movies etc. tourism.com/nattitude/~~~~~~~/offrestouristi ques-49-2.html Good practices identified during the study visit in Auvergne (France)

Good practices identified during the study visit in Gozo (Malta) Agri Environmental RDI Centre Ancillary Services for Self-Catering Accommodation ECO-Certification (Gozo) Eco-Gozo

Interregional Conference 7 th of February 2012 Gozo, Malta