The Algarve's potential for nature tourism was one of the mottos of a forum that took place this Friday, November 30, at the Espaço Guadiana, in Alcoutim.
Odiana, together with the Municipality of Alcoutim, organized the “Forum of Hiking and Nature Tourism”, an initiative that brought together around 70 participants to debate this tourist niche, “whose potential can guarantee the tourist attractiveness of the region throughout the entire period. year», says that association.
The opening of the Forum was carried out by Osvaldo Gonçalves, Mayor of Alcoutim, who spoke of the Municipality's growing commitment to this segment, and by João Fernandes, President of the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA), who welcomed the various initiatives of that the Algarve already has.
João Fernandes congratulated the Municipality of Alcoutim for events such as the “Festival de Caminhadas” and the “Festival do Contrabando”, stating that the latter “is able to gather around 20 thousand people and unite Portugal and Spain”.
The president of the RTA also appealed to the various local, regional and national actors, in order to see Nature Tourism as a clear example of combating seasonality in the region, stressing that "it is necessary to overcome the mentality of some old people in Restelo".
The initiative was attended by entities, companies and stakeholders in this matter. Cláudia Ruivinho, from RTA, presented the Cycling & Walking Algarve program, highlighting its growing evolution and ensuring that the basic conditions for this segment are met.
The QRER Cooperative, through João Ministro, presented the “Algarve Walking Season”, a set of three walking festivals, ensuring “that there is room for more to appear”.
For 2019, challenges were advanced such as "inclusive walks, new themes, greater appreciation of heritage and twinning with festivals from other continents".
Patrícia Malheiro, from Biosphere, addressed different paradigms, warning that qualified and challenging offers must be created, but always tailored to the segment.
“Genuinity, authenticity and the awakening of the senses are the parameters that guarantee the experience that the current tourist is looking for”, guaranteed the speaker.
The afternoon part of the “Forum” was dedicated to the most practical examples of nature tourism.
Juan Carlos Alvarez presented the “Tenerife Walking Festival” and proved that the island, famous for its combination of sun and beach, “can and should be more than that” because “there is space for everything”.
José Rabasa, from the company ITINERANTUR, in Castellon, Spain, addressed the concepts of slow tourism, the principles of active and responsible tourism, interpretive walks and environmental education programs combined with walks.
Finally, Sílvia Madeira spoke of Odiana as the entity responsible for the creation, in Baixo Guadiana, of 135 kilometers of small route walking routes and, more recently, of the Grande Rota do Guadiana, highlighting the set of promotional activities that are being prepared.
This Saturday, December 1st, the initiative continued, but in a closed event, aimed only at tour operators, journalists and bloggers guests, carrying out a thematic visit to Alcoutim with a boat trip along the Guadiana, a walk along the Great Route of the Guadiana (GR15), an “Afternoon with the Shepherd”, traditional lunch and astronomical observation.
The objective of this forum, concludes Odiana, «was to contribute to the sustained development of Nature Tourism in Baixo Guadiana, above all in what concerns the interior of the territory».
«The goal was to get to know and exchange experiences in order to create, improve and consolidate the offer, making the region more competitive and combating seasonality. This event came to demonstrate the growing importance of Nature Tourism in Baixo Guadiana, combining natural potential with cultural, historical heritage, sport and well-being, as well as all business activities that explore sustainable tourism in this other Algarve» .
The Forum arose within the scope of the Promoturis project – Tourism and Cultural Promotion Plan – an Odiana initiative, financed by CRESC Algarve 2020.
Comments