
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 […]

Participating in greenways seminars in Latvia
The seminars were organised by the Latvian Greenways Association and held in Keipene and Gulbene. EGWA Director presented European Greenways best practices that can inspire new actions in Latvia, as part of the EU Interreg project “Greenways Riga-Vilaka”. The seminars involved local administrations promoting greenways and private sector stakeholders who have set up businesses in the vicinity of greenways, in particular in former railway stations. EGWA director presented best practices in European greenways that can inspire new actions in Latvia, as part of the Interreg project “Greenways Riga-Vilaka”. It was a great opportunity to see the great progress and increase of public and private initiatives involved in the development of greenways in Latvia! => Transforming disused railway tracks as greenways. => Recovery of collapsed bridges and building new ones => Rehabilitation of old stations for tourist uses, community activity centers, museums. => Strong commitment to move forward with new greenways projects! The finishing touch was a “chance meeting” with the Latvian Minister of Transport on the way home. Sincere thanks to Minister Talis Linkaits for his support for greenway initiatives, and for listening carefully to our proposals for moving forward, enhancing services around greenways, improvements in intermodality with public transport, […]

Kick-off- meeting of SIGWAY
Launch of the European project SIGWAY, Sport in Greenways. The kick-off- meeting of the SIGWAY, Sport in Greenways project was held in Madrid on 6-7 June. The project is carried out in the framework of the Eramus + Sport call. The meetings were combined with a visit by bike to the Tajuña greenway. The aim of the project is to promote sport and healthy leisure activities outdoors by stimulating sports activities offer in greenways and potential greenways while raising awareness on environmental issues and circular economy. Moreover, SIGWAY aims to enhancing sports field employability and local economies. It has been two intense days of meetings for the coordination and planning of the project, and direct exchange and knowledge sharing between the partners. EGWA is a member of the consortium which is composed of 7 partners from the following countries: Spain, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Slovakia, Italy, Greece, and Portugal. In addition to the meetings, the partners participated in a visit to the Tajuña Greenway in the Ambite section, promoted by the EGWA, so that the partners could familiarise themselves with the concept of greenways and learn about the opportunities offered by these non-motorised and accessible infrastructures for outdoor sports. Marta Navarro, […]

Ourway study visit to Ireland
Study visit to Ireland from 31 May to 1 June, organised by Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA), in Carrick-on-Shannon. A very interesting and attractive agenda combining presentations and visits by bike. We learn about the great experiences of Greenways in Ireland, and their strong socio-economic benefits thanks to the presentations from: Áine Carr, Leitrim Co. Co. – “Leitrim Greenways – “Socio Economic Benefits” Sharon Lavin, Head of Marketing, Waterways Ireland – “Blueway Development – How It Has Evolved” Seamus Gibbons (Electric Bike Trails Owners) – “Business to Benefit from Cycleway” Michael Fitzsimons, Fáilte Ireland – Greenway Visitor Experience & Development Toolkit and Greenway Industry Supports . An opportunity to discover the beauty of the Leitrim’s greenways, in particular the Shannon Blueway. Cycle from Leitrim to Drumshanbo (about 10 Km) along the banks of the Shannon Erne Canal and enjoy the iconic Acres Lake Floating Boardwalk in Drumshanbo. Visit the Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre, and then on to the Jackalope Café , in The Shed Distillery, Drumshanbo, Leitrim for Lunch and visit. Day 2 was organised as an itinerant tour with presentations in the room, in two of the most popular places […]
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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.