European funding to promote green tourism on the Broads
A total of 500,000 euros of European funding has been made available to promote green tourism on the Broads over the next three years.
STEP –Sustainable Tourism in Estuary Parks ---is part of the Interreg Two Seas programme which is a strand of the European Regional Development Fund.
The money will provide substantial funding for the Broads Authority’s new tourism website (www.enjoythebroads.com) which will be launched at the end of this month.
It will also fund a variety of tourism projects on the Broads. These include reviewing how to improve interpretation and visitor facilities between Ludham Bridge and How Hill, a conservation fund in which visitors will be invited to contribute money to fund enhancement projects, an increase in the number of the number of electric charging points on the waterways and the promotion of the Green Tourism Business Scheme in the Broads.
The STEP project involves the Broads working in partnership with the Biesbosch National Park in the Netherlands and a protected area around Kruibeke in the Schelde Estuary, Belgium.
The project will be launched on Tuesday May 11th in Kruibeke which will be attended by key Broads Authority staff and the chairman of the Broads Tourism Forum, Ian Russell.
Bruce Hanson, Broads Authority Head of Tourism said: “This funding gives us a tremendous opportunity to do many things that we have wanted to do for a long time but have not had the resources for. It provides a great boost for sustainable tourism in the Broads and we are particularly pleased to be working very closely with the Broads Tourism Forum to achieve our aims.”
Ian Russell, Chairman of the Broads Tourism Forum said: “Funding of this type presents a range of wonderful opportunities to deliver new initiatives which will help Broads tourism businesses and improve the visitor experience. Programmes like STEP also create opportunities for the Broads Authority and the private sector to develop closer working relationships.”
The Broads became the first member of the English National Park family to be awarded the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in 2006. This high accolade, which plays a significant role in gaining funding, the respect of key partners, and raising the Broads profile, expires early next year. The STEP funding will assist with the reapplication of the Charter and the revision of the Broads Tourism Strategy.
STEP is also a learning exchange between the participant parks. The Broads Authority hopes to help the Biesbosch gain the European Charter while learning about visitor management and sustainable boating from its European partners.
This text reflects the author's views. The Programme Authorities of Interreg IV A 2 Seas are not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.
07/05/10
