Excellent sustainable destinations awarded for innovation

Nine European destinations of excellence were awarded for innovative practices at this year’s EDEN conference.

The innovation prizes will also provide winners with a fast-track into next year’s VISTA awards at ITB

Three EDEN destinations get gold award and a further six destinations got a special mention for innovative practices in three categories.

This year’s EDEN conference had an extra event – the awarding of destinations for innovation in Community Building, Place Making and Place Branding.

Ligatne in Latvia got the gold Community Building award for the tremendous steps that the destination has taken in revitalising its  old paper mill and using it as a focus for new community tourism initiative leading to more jobs and opportunities for local artisans.

Kuldiga in Latvia got the gold Place Making award for its substantial project to create its beautiful destination as a multi-activity centre and its networking with partner destinations to create a chain of destination ‘tourism lighthouses’ in the Baltic states.

Durbuy in the Belgian Ardennes got the gold Place Branding award for its innovative approach to establishing a serious food brand and a cohesive network of restaurants, producers, chefs, recipes and everything to do with local 0km food.

Other destinations honoured at the event were Bohinj (Croatia) for its International Wild Flower Festival; Limburg (Holland) for its ‘Blossom Ribbon’ establishing new orchards; Faial National Park (Azores) for its deep commitment to ecotourism; Germany’s Landlust organization for its innovative approach to creating sustainable accommodations; the Croatian seaside resort of Nin for an new approach to preserving its natural heritage; and the Latvian resort of Jurmala for dramatically widening its networks and learning opportunities.

Said Valere Tjolle announcing the winners: "These sustainable tourism success stories show the way to new opportunities for getting visitor partners who are true fits with what great community destinations can offer and bring commitment and support for local economies, local cultural and social initiatives and for local environments"

"A real mosaic of fabulous authentic community destinations is now opening up. Whereas mass tourism, mass production and mass marketing envisaged millions of customers for dozens of offers – tomorrow’s tourism offers the opportunity for dozens of customers on each of millions of really individual, authentic fascinating and fulfilling experiences – as these destinations wonderfully demonstrate"

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