Tourism in Rural Areas
MEP Hannes Heide
Tourism has collapsed everywhere during the lockdown. Numerous companies are still threatened with bankruptcy. On the other hand, outdoor tourism in rural areas is experiencing an economic boom due to the pandemic. „Many small businesses benefit from this and most of the added value remains in the region“, reports RUMRA Vice President Hannes Heide. The consequences for nature and local residents lie within. Thousands of tourists leave unwanted traces behind.
The Interreg project “Alliance of the Alps” is committed to sustainable and socially acceptable tourism in the Alpine region. Solutions have been found and tested throughout the winter months, such as: limitation of the daily number of visitors in national parks, restriction to guided hikes only and creative advice on rules of conduct in nature. „Sustainable tourism development has good chances of success especially in rural areas, the booking situation in my home region, the Salzkammergut, shows that these concepts are willingly accepted by vacationers” says Heide.