
First results of the SIGWAY project
The first results of the SIGWAY project are now available! They consist of 2 reports giving an overview of greenways in the 7 countries participating in the project, and examples of good practice in sport and active leisure activities in Spain, Belgium, Italy, Slovakia, Austria, Italy, Greece and Portugal. Both reports include an introductory summary of the situation in the different countries and best practices, prepared by EGWA, which has guided the research as the lead partner for this part of the work. Each country report has been prepared by the respective project partner, who is responsible for its content. 1/ National report on the current network of sport greenways in each country The objectives of the report are: To have the general information on the existing greenways in each represented country, and the main characteristics of their development. To know the specific characteristics that favour the development of outdoor sports and leisure activities in greenways, and what conditions make them successful, through concrete examples. Offer a global overview of the situation of the greenways and the sports activities and physical activity that take place in the represented countries. Identify outstanding examples of greenways, which can serve as a […]

EU cycling strategy & Greenways
European Parliament resolution of 16 February 2023 on developing an EU cycling strategy (2022/2909(RSP) ) The resolution considers that cycling should be recognised as a fully-fledged mode of transport. The EP calls on the Commission to develop a specific European cycling strategy with the aim of doubling the number of Km cycled in Europe by 2030. It encourages regional and local governments to significantly build safe, segregated and accessible cycling infrastructure. The EP take into account a range of EU actions and initiatives, linked to the achievement of climate targets, the beneficial health effects, and the opportunity to grow the European cycling industry, and jobs. The resolution calls for the construction of safe cycling infrastructure to exploit the full potential of cycling as a valuable alternative for short distance journeys. The EP resolution makes detailed reference to cycling in urban environments, but also emphasises the importance of supporting cycle tourism and cycling in rural areas. It specifically call for support to accelerate the development of EuroVelo, and to exploit synergies with the TEN-T network. Including the realisation of cycle paths parallel to railways and inland waterways, wherever possible. The EP calls on the Commission and […]

Strong presence of greenways at FITUR 2023
A strong presence of greenways at FITUR 2023, and of cycle tourism in general. The FITUR 2023 fair has been an excellent occasion for presentations and dissemination of new tourism products based on greenways; signing of collaboration agreements, meetings with EGWA partners and friends of the greenways, and exploring future plans. >> We attended presentations and round tables on greenways to back up the action of our members in favour of greenways. Common message in the presentations: the great transformation that greenways have brought about and the need for optimal maintenance, demanded by citizens and companies that focus their activity on these non-motorised routes, and which constitute a major economic resource for the territories through which they run. > We received the visit of Paulo Rodrigues, manager of the National Plan of Ecopistas of Portugal, of IP Patrimonio, who presented the new brochure of Ecopistas. We learned first-hand about the advances in infrastructures and governance in the Portuguese ecopistas, and explored new possibilities for closer international collaboration to advance an Iberian vision of greenways. In this sense, possibilities for collaboration can be opened up in the framework of the agreement signed […]

EGWA in the European Tourism Forum 2022 in Prague
EGWA will present at the 21st European Tourism Forum, about “Tourism Transition Pathway”. The Forum is organised by the Czech Presidency together with the European Commission. EGWA have been invited to present at the 21st European Tourism Forum, about “Tourism Transition Pathway” and examples of good practice in its implementation, and it will be an honour to present in this important event. The Ministry of Regional Development will host the European Tourism Forum on 15th November 2022 at the Congress Centre in Prague, which will be one of the most important events in the field of tourism this year. On 15th November, the speakers will include representatives of the European Commission, experts and representatives of other institutions according to the selected topic, both from the Czech Republic and abroad. (For further details, please see: https://www.mmr.cz/en/microsites/pres/akce/evropske-forum-cestovniho-ruchu-(1)) The program will be divided into four thematic blocks: 1) Package Travel Directive (PTD) – lessons learned from pandemic 2) Short-Term Rentals Regulation (STR) 3) Transition Pathway for Tourism (TTP) as a basis for the European Agenda for Tourism 2030 4) Tourism marketing activities – recent trends EGWA presentation is scheduled in block 3, Transition Pathway for Tourism (TTP) as a basis for the European Agenda for Tourism 2030 This will be a great opportunity to insist […]

Study visit to the award-winning greenway Line-38, and Racour station in Belgium.
Study visit to the award-winning greenway Line-38 Herve Aubel section, and Racour station in Belgium. Representatives from 8 European countries have participated. The visit is part of the final conference of the OurwAy project, Interreg Europe. Tuesday 27th September, a study visit by bike took take place on the greenway (RAVEL), from Liège to Aachen on lines 38/39 (Herve – Aubel section), awarded with the first European prize in the 10th EGA, category Excellence. The objective was to share with the partners and stakeholders of the OurWay project Good Practices on the ground in the realisation of greenways, services, and facilities linked to non-motorised, cycling and walking infrastructure so that they can replicate them in a form adapted to their territories. The visited greenway, Ravel L-38 combines excellent infrastructure and services, which favour daily mobility, tourism, and leisure in a highly attractive rural environment. Thirty-five representatives from eight countries (Spain, Belgium, Ireland, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, France, and Italy) participated in the visit, and were welcomed by the Director of the Pays D’Herve Tourist Office, Anne Zinnen, and her friendly staff. The director explained the role of the Pays d’Herve tourist office, the cooperation of municipalities to promote tourism in […]

Stakeholder’ event – Togheter for EU Tourism
The European Commision, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs organised a stakeholder event on 13 September to update on the transition pathway related developments and received pledges. The objective was to increase and support engagement in the transition pathway co-implementation with concrete actions. The event was organized in hybrid format, physically in Brussels and the online participation All the presentations of the event are available online at the event web page: EU Tourism transition pathway stakeholder meeting (europa.eu) Presentations Introduction by Marie-Helene Pradines, Head of Unit Directorate-General for Industry & SMEs Unit G1 Tourism, textiles Four lenses to the Transition Pathway for Tourism by Directorate-General for Industry & SMEs Tourism team Industrial Forum Task force 2 feedback by Luis Campos, Co-curator Industrial forum TF2 for Tourism Overview of T4T pledges and commitments by Kirsti Ala-Mutka, Policy officer Directorate-General for Industry & SMEs Example pledges from Ile-de-France region, Françoise Guaspare, Senior policy officer Example pledges from Azores DMO by Carolina Mendonça, Coordinator Example pledges from European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) by Ivor Ambrose, Managing Director Example pledges from Booking.com by Inge Janssen, Director of Public Affairs EMEA, Example pledges from EcoMarine Malta by Patrizia Patti, Founder Example pledges from NECSTouR by […]

OURWAY Final Conference – SAVE THE DATE!
OURWAY Final Conference “Greenways, a must to sustainable tourism’ Tourism is today among the top priorities of the European political agenda as tourism ecosystem was the hardest hit by the pandemic. We have seen the launching of the Transition pathway for tourism and we look forward to know more about the European Agenda for Tourism 2030/2050 in order to support the green and digital transitions of the European tourism and strengthen its competitiveness. The Interreg Europe project “OURWAY: Preservation and promotion of cultural and natural heritage through Greenways” comes to an end and the project partners believe that the results can contribute significantly to the new European Agenda on Tourism and, in particular, to the conservation, protection, promotion and development of European natural and cultural heritage through the use of Greenways. To this end, the Project consortium has worked to improve public policies related to the cultural and natural quality of the territories involved, in particular Tourism, as a hugely important policy for our regions’ sustainable economic, social and environmental development. We would like to share with all of you the results of our project and reflect together about the input into the new European Agenda for tourism. PLEASE […]

Taking part in the co-implementation of tourism transition
EGWA takes part in the co-implementation of the Transition Pathway for Tourism EGWA has contributed to the European Commission’s call for the co-implementation of the Transition Pathway for Tourism, proposing concrete actions to undertake. Pledges of the Association are included in the EC publication summarising the commitments and pledges made by stakeholders. The European Commission has published the results of the first collected commitments and pledges made by tourism stakeholders, responding to its call for commitments published in February 2022. You can download it here: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/news/tourism-organisations-take-concrete-steps-green-and-digital-transition-2022-06-28_en See on the European Commission web page the list of 112 organisations that have sent commitments, and the list of 186 concrete pledges. The published pledges covering 25 of the 27 transition pathway topics. EC mentions that there are many more pledges in the pipeline, still being elaborated and clarified by their submitters to be published during the next round. EGWA is one of the organisations that responded to the European Commission with concrete pledges, to contribute to the co-implementation of the Transition Pathway for Tourism. It is worth noting that although in meetings and in the written contribution during the process of the “Co-creation Transition Pathway for tourism “ we insisted on the need to promote safe cycling […]
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Practical publications for greenways stakeholders


Marketing and Communication of a greenways tourism product
Top ten tips for marketing and communication
Best Practice Guide for Marketing and Communication of a greenways tourism product. The guide exposes in a very practical and operational way the top 10 tips for marketing and communication that should help lead to a successful promotion of a tourism product linked to greenways. Produced in the framework of the Greenways Outdoor project, by the East Belgium Tourism Agency (TAO), a partner within the consortium carrying out the project.


How to make accessible greenways
Key recommendations for making greenways accessible
General Conditions for Accessible Greenways: The brochure will help European greenway planners and managers to develop initiatives aimed at improving accessibility along their routes and making greenways an integrating element for the development of accessible tourism experiences and products.


Accesible Greenways
Best Practice Guide for Accessible Greenways
Best Practice Guide for accessible tourism on greenways, with recommendations on how to facilitate greenway usage by all types of user.


Cycle-friendly
Best Practice Guide for local services and equipment on greenways
Best praactices guide for greenway services, giving guidance on the necessary provisions for cyclists and people with disabilities, focusing on the facilities and accommodation nearby.