In Krakow, eco-tourism goes hand in hand with eco-innovation

Krakow, Malopolska (PL), 9 November 2011

How can eco-tourism contribute to an innovative regional development strategy? This question was at the heart of a conference held in Krakow, Malopolska region (PL), attended by around 100 participants.

Thanks to many examples of regional good practices, the experts agreed on key findings and recommendations:
• Making tourism sustainable involves the use of different territorial resources and potential as well as the adoption of a transversal approach to tourism.
• Learning and education are the main aspects of a successful eco-tourism strategy.
• To contribute to the greening of tourism stakeholders’ and visitors’ behaviour, it is crucial to establish partnerships with all related actors, in particular Small and Medium Enterprises, by assessing and improving their level of awareness regarding the environmental impact of their activities.
• Eco-innovation can help minimising the visitor-induced impact on tourism facilities and Information and Communication Technologies can allow for an efficient and innovative communication strategy.

This event was the 2nd dissemination conference of the INTERREG IVC project ECREIN+ (European Clusters and Regions for Eco-Innovation Network Plus), which aims to explore how regions can create and implement effective policies to support eco-innovation and green business in their territories. The project started in January 2010 and will end in December 2012.

The 12 ECREIN+ partners are: Rhône-Alpes (F-Lead Partner), Andalucía (E), Baden-Württemberg (D), Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce (UK), Galicia (E), Île-de-France (F), Lombardia (I), Malopolska (PL), Stara Zagora (BG), Uppsala (S), the Romanian Association of Municipalities (RO) and the Assembly of European Regions.

For more information: [email protected]