About tourism and Natura 2000
An overview of how the Natura 2000 network relates to tourism
The natural beauty of an area and its richness of wildlife, are key factors for many people when choosing a holiday destination. It follows that the nature conservation and tourism sectors must live side-by-side, or - better still - actively support one another. Tourism can bring much needed revenue to an area, and be a real driver for active local participation in nature management. It can also be a pressure on the environment, through increased visitor numbers and inappropriate developments. Fortunately, many in the tourism sector recognise the importance of maintain naturally beautiful areas rich in biodiversity, and see the Natura 2000 network of protected areas as an opportunity, not a threat.
Project: Awareness raising Natura 2000: working with Europe's rural tourism sector
This project ran from January 2007 to July 2008. Co-financed by the EU, the project brings together an innovative partnership of tourism providers and Natura 2000 specialists from 5 countries to raise awareness of Natura 2000 and its implications/potential benefits for rural tourism at the grass roots level. The actions proposed were piloted in three very different regions of Europe: Latvia, Andalucia, and 5 areas in Finland. Each region has important areas in Natura 2000 and an already established and expanding rural tourism market, largely based on its natural and cultural values.
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