SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Rural Tourism is already an important part of the European tourism sector. But many assets and resources for recreation in rural areas are yet not used, or remain undetected. This conference is a step to broaden ChiefEssays.Net the view and unleash the full rural potential for leisure through a holistic approach that includes hospitality, food, gastronomy, culture, active tourism, and any other relevant aspects.

It is a first-ever event that brings together stakeholders from two of the most relevant sectors for the European economy to set common ground for practical cooperation and synergies:

• Tourism represents around  10% of European GDP, and is one of the most resilient sectors of EU economy with excellent perspectives of growth.
• 92% of EU territory is rural or peri-urban, providing a wide scope of resources and public goods for 743 million habitants in Europe.

In plenary and workgroups, open and dynamic discussion will take place around four topics:

• VITALITY for Smart and competitive rural areas
• VALUE CHAINS and how to manage them in benefit of rural areas
• THE RURAL EXPERIENCE
• DIGITALIZATION

 

On Thursday 16th, each of the above is discussed in a moderated panel of experts and best practice cases from Europe and Italy. Further 40-50 examples will be presented in a Marketplace of Ideas in the foyer, where participants shall vote for the three most inspiring cases. On Friday 17^th, the four topics are discussed in smaller work groups , while a fifth group will deal with possible joint projects. The results are presented at the closure session where also the winners of the contest from the Marketplace of Ideas shall be announced.

The formal programme is complemented by social events and visit to the Cittá Alta of Bergamo. Participants at the Marketplace of Ideas have the opportunity to present their experience to the general public over the weekend at the AgroTravel & SlowTravel Exhibition.

The organisation is shared between EuroGites-European Federation of Rural Tourism and   MER-Mouvement Européen de Ruralité, in the context of the UNWTO “2017 Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development” and the implementation of the Cork 2.0 Declaration . It counts with support of the UNWTO-World Tourism Organisation, ENRD-European Network of Rural Development, COPA-COGECA, EDEN Network, Regione Lombardia, and Ente Fiera Promoberg, amongst others.

Languages:  simultaneous translation between Italian and English.
French can be spoken only.

 

WHAT’S THE OBJECTIVE? 

Raise awareness about the actual and future potential for sustainable tourism and recreation in rural areas and initiate practical steps to put them into practice by:

• Highlighting the wide range of rural resources that can be put into value through recreation and tourism
• Presenting innovative, inspirational, “out-of-the-box”, or even disruptive ideas
• Detecting new potentials for profitable business around them
• Discussing different views and perspectives
• Exchanging views and practical experience across Europe and worldwide
• Establishing new professional and business contacts in the field
• Setting up partnerships and consortia for future joint projects

 

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE? 

• Decision makers at local, regional, and national levels from the private and public sector
• Rural entrepreneurs with interest in opening new fields and markets for their activity
• Research and training institutions
• Organisations and companies looking for partners to launch new projects or businesses
• …. and in general, anybody involved and committed with lively and vital rural areas in Europe and elsewhere in the world

 

SUMMARY SCHEDULE

Wednesday, 15-feb    

• Afternoon:  set-up of panels for the Marketplace of Ideas at venue.
• Evening:   reception of participants of the Conference.

 

Thursday, 16-feb  

 Full day:        plenary sessions

                        See details below

Friday, 17-feb               

Morning:       plenary sessions

parallel workgroups (5)

                        See details below

 Noon:             Results of workgroups, contest, conclusions, closur

Afternoon:    individual meetings on arrangement

 

REGISTRATION FEES for international participants:

* Members of EuroGites, MER, and practice cases
with poster display at the Marketplace of Ideas                              150 EUR

* Members of organisations related with tourism
and rural development                                                                          195 EUR

* Other participants in general                                                            250 EUR

* Education and Research Institutions                                            125 EUR

This fee includes the local transfers, congress participation, documentation, full social program and meals from Wednesday evening to Friday afternoon, guided tour to Bergamo Città Alta.

Accommodation is on account of participants, alternative options will be suggested at preferential rates at two levels (2- and 4-star-hotels) in due course. Rates start at 40 EUR/sgl room incl breakfast

 

PARTICIPATION AT THE FAIR

Registered participants have free access to the fair “AgriTravel & SlowTravel Expo” that begins right after the end of our conference. This includes various opportunities for professional exchange (seminars, workshops, etc.) and business contacts B2B and B2C through a special match-making service of the fair.

 

Special conditions for participants at the conference apply for individual exhibition space at this fair, as follows:

• Space with individual exhibition panel for posters,          150 EUR

shared desk, chair

• Proper individual stand 3 x 3 mts with desks,                  350 EUR
•  chairs, electricity, and at least 5 panels for decoration

 

For more details, you can download the offer here