The SHAPE project has revealed the value of transnational cooperation on developing sustainable heritage areas. The Learning Journeys have provided valuable input not only on sustainable tourism, but on regional development as such.
Read moreThe Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. The annual Arctic Circle Assembly is the largest annual international gathering on the Arctic, attended by more than 2000 participants from 60 countries interested in the future of the Arctic: heads of states and governments, ministers, members of parliaments, officials, experts, scientists, entrepreneurs, business leaders, indigenous representatives, environmentalists, students, activists and others from the growing international community of partners and participants interested in the future of the Arctic.
Read moreCan you imagine a “slow” triathlon with the goal of enjoying nature and culture, stress free and with no time pressure? In little more than a week, North Karelia Biosphere Reserve will be hosting learning journey participants in North Karelia Biosphere Reserve. During the learning journey, the guests will experience the Koitajoki Nature Triathlon that has been developed under SHAPE NPA project. It combines the best parts of enjoying and getting acquainted with pristine nature and stress-free physical…
Read morePresenting results and sharing knowledge Partnermeeting in Fedje, Norway. All the SHAPE partners were present at the 5th Partner meeting in Norway in June. It was finally time to present the first results and sharing experiences based on implantation of the ecotourism initiatives that have been developed. By: Kjersti Isdal – Region Nordhordland Sharing experiences also means sharing knowledge of the assets and challenges in each of the SHAPE partner regions. This was apparent in the 5th partner meeting in June where…
Read moreBy: Rosalind Bryce – SHAPE Now that the ecotourism initiatives are underway in each SHAPE Sustainable Heritage Area, we are looking forward to one of the anticipated highlights of 2019 – the learning journeys! Learning Journey in Greenland. Shape Project. Learning and connecting with stakeholders from another country The learning journeys will offer opportunities for our regional stakeholders, including local businesses, tourist providers and community representatives from each Sustainable Heritage Area to meet in another SHA to learn about the ecotourism development…
Read moreBy: Daisy Silvennoinen & Timo Hokkanen – North Karelia Biosphere Reserve Can you imagine a “slow” triathlon? Where the goal is enjoying nature and culture, stress free and with no time pressure. That is what our partners in North Karelia BR have developed as part of the SHAPE project. There is of course local food and a sauna at the end of the day! Rafting. Copyright: Sami Niemeläinen. Koitajoki NATURE TRIATHLON combines the best parts of enjoying and getting acquainted with pristine nature…
Read moreProviders of services and events in sustainable tourism are often small. In Snæfellsnes regional park they are learning to work together in order to develop their products and make the visitors stay longer. By: Ragnhildur Sigurðardóttir – Snæfellsnes Regional Park Throughout 2019 Snæfellsnes regional park have been hosting a series of workshops for local providers of sustainable tourism services. The aim of the workshops has been to strengthen co-operation between companies and their networks, thereby supporting the companies in product development in their own area as well as developing the region…
Read moreBy: Marie McNulty – Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere have just finished procuring the services of Stef Lauer to run a Biosphere Experiences Guide Training course as part of the SHAPE project. Ten people have signed up for the free training that takes place over two weekends in May and June. Biosphere Experiences Guide Training. Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Stef has been involved in various aspects of guiding for over 15 years, including a…
Read moreFinding what is unique about your area may lead down unexpected paths. In Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere they are exploring the possibilities of enjoying the sky at night – developing “Darkness Tourism”. By Marie McNulty – Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere As the only community in Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park, Glentrool Village is a location for the development of eco-tourism in the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. Glentrool Village recently celebrated the dark skies with a Darkness and Stars…
Read moreBy: Laura Hamlet and Natasha Hutchison – Wester Ross Biosphere The key to collaboration is cultivating individual minds and skills sets to design the structure in which everyone works together toward a common goal. In Wester Ross they are working on a Destination Management Plan (DMP), creating a strong support network made up of everyone involved in the ‘guest experience.’ Another critical component is having the desire and ability to learn from best practice in other areas with similar obstacles and opportunities.
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