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ItalianoUpdated on 03.08.2023
The Tyrolean Oberland has already played a pioneering role as a sustainable tourism destination in the past with "Green Events" and projects such as "KLAR Kaunergrat". In the three adventure areas Kaunertal, Tyrolean Oberland and Nauders am Reschenpass, work is also being done on environmentally friendly offers and projects such as star hikes or events in the spirit of sustainability for the future.
"A climate-friendly and resource-conserving approach to our living space has long been common practice in the Tyrolean Oberland, not least thanks to the joint efforts of many organisations involved in the region. With a clear commitment to preserving the natural and cultural landscape, we will continue to provide a sustainable offering in our region in the future," emphasises Armin Falkner, Chairman of the TVB Tiroler Oberland.
Pioneering role for sustainable holidays in the Alps
As part of the "Clean Alpine Region" (CLAR) project, which supports Tyrolean tourism regions with sustainable measures, the Kaunertal Nature Park and Glacier Region has already succeeded in 2021 in taking on a pioneering role in climate-friendly winter and summer holidays in the Alps. This is why the Kaunertal was awarded the title of "Best Tourism Village" by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in 2021. "However, our ambitions for a resource-conserving and credible tourism focus do not end in the Kaunertal, but extend across the entire region and its adventure areas. Sustainable topics and projects such as the renovation of Nauders Fortress, star hikes, e-shuttle offers and 'green events' will become even more of a focus in the future," say Dietmar Walser and Manuel Baldauf, Managing Directors of the Tyrolean Oberland Tourism Association.
Sustainable infrastructure and community projects
The renovation of Nauders Fortress began in 2019 as part of an Interreg project. In the next step, the municipality of Nauders and the tourism association tackled the renovation of the roof as part of a LEADER project in order to preserve the cultural-historical building for guests and locals in the future. The tourism association and the municipality of Nauders also worked closely together on the maintenance of the 400-year-old Stableshof. This is one of the last originally preserved mountain farms around Nauders and has also been given a new roof. Families with children can reach the high-altitude Kaunertal nature park and glacier region with the help of one of the first Alpine e-shuttles - and with low emissions.
Environmentally friendly events
With the Dreiländergiro, which celebrated its 30th anniversary on 25 June 2023, the Nauders am Reschenpass adventure area once again showed that one of Europe's largest mass sports events can also be organised in an environmentally friendly way. Last year, the Dreiländergiro was already organised as a "Green Event Tirol", and this year the event was also nominated for the "Green Events Austria Award". Decisive factors included the collaboration with regional producers and suppliers as well as organic-certified products and reusable cups at the catering stations. The "Terra Raetica Trails Tour Festival", which attracted trail runners to the border triangle from 4 to 8 July 2023, was also recognised as a "Green Event Tirol".
The meadow festival at Lindenplatz in Ried in the Tyrolean Oberland was once again the highlight of the meadow month of "June Bluama Time" this year and was also recognised as a "Green Event basic". The regional festival focused on high-quality products from local producers, a children's programme and family hikes.
Star hikes, XXL books and climate construction site
The rear Kaunertal, one of the darkest areas in Austria, offers a breathtaking view of the starry sky far away from artificial light. The TVB has laid another foundation stone for sustainable tourism development with nightly star hikes as part of the Interreg project "Skyscape" and the star bowl made of stones and Swiss stone pine wood, where you can take a seat and get in touch with nature. In spring 2023, the star hikes were nominated for the "Tirol Touristica Award".
The Leader project "Books tell stories" put interesting facts into words. In special places in the middle of nature, a total of 17 oversized books tell exciting stories from the Tyrolean Oberland. As part of the Leader project "Klimabaustelle", young people from urban areas have the opportunity to work with local mountain guides to look after the extensive Alpine pastures in the rear Kaunertal valley.
Population participation and habitat management
In order to ensure a broad-based exchange with all decision-makers and the population, the Clean Alpine Region Kaunergrat innovation circle, consisting of the municipalities involved in the Kaunertal as well as the nature park, tourism and mountain railway managers, has begun its work. 40 measures in the areas of quality of life, economic development and ecology have already been defined. These are constantly being reviewed and implemented. The Habitat Management and Sustainability Coordination staff unit is also dedicated to cross-association sustainable projects and topics, such as mobility and tourism awareness, and is a central point of contact for the population and stakeholders.