1.2 - INTERREG IIIB Alpine Space Programme

66 3.2 Via Alpina
environment and cultural heritage
Lead partner
Association Grande Traversée
des Alpes
Other partners
Regione Piemonte
Regione Lombardia
Regione A. FVG
Regione A. Valle d’Aosta
Regione Liguria
Regione Veneto
Provincia A. di Bolzano
Provincia A. di Trento
OeAV
DAV
Schweizer Wanderwege
Proplus d.o.o
CAM
AWNL
Project website
www.via-alpina.org
Contact person
Grégoire Bel
Tel +33 (0)4 76 42 08 31
Fax +33 (0)4 76 42 87 08
interreg@via-alpina.org
Duration
01.2001 – 12.2004
Total budget in EUR
2.488.085
ERDF in EUR
948.599
Lead partner
Project partner
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MC
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Promoting the natural and cultural heritage of the Alps on a network of hiking trails.
Aim
So far only few initiatives in this field have been implemented
with a trans-frontier strategy, and none at the level of the
entire Alps. While all Alpine countries have set up a dense
network of local, regional, national and even European hiking
trails, Via Alpina is the first official route linking the eight Alpine
countries.
Five international hiking routes, based exclusively on exist-
ing trails, have been identified by the partners on the basis of
tourism, environmental and strategic criteria. They aim at the
international public and appealing not only to long-distance
hikers but also to less-trained tourists.
Activities
This is a first phase, focussing on two fields of activity:
Promotion: Creation and dissemination of a complete range
of promotional tools: way-marking and information panels,
website, brochures, festive events, press releases... This
is based on an extensive database compiled by all partners
and comprising practical information on the trails and
services as well as references to the elements of cultural
and natural heritage. Most documents have a transnational
scope, promoting the entire Alpine space and are published
in the four Alpine languages plus English.
Technical exchange: Through meetings of the International
steering committee, a professional newsletter and internet
site, exchange of experience took place. Pilot studies were
carried out on how to use the trail to stimulate local initiatives
and improve quality of the offer and on the potential of information
technology for marketing and trail management.
Outcomes and results
Creation of the visual identity of the trail throughout the Alpine
countries. The display of the general map of Via Alpina on
more than 300 locations strongly contributes to the awareness
of the dimension of the Alps and the strengthening of
the Alpine identity.
Production and dissemination of a series of common promo-
tion instruments presenting the five Via Alpina itineraries:
logo, database (texts, maps and illustrations) also provides
a basis for the development of further tools (e.g. a series of
guidebooks from private publishers), leaflets and brochures,
interactive website, festive events, press work. Regional promotion
tools complete those common promotion instruments.
Most publications and the database are in five languages.
Best practices gathered in a “quality guide” present recom-
mendations and charters to improve the quality of services
to hikers. It provides a basis for further actions in order to
increase both the satisfaction of tourists and the economic
impact on local communities.
Via Alpina aims at becoming a permanent feature of Alpine
tourism and plays a structuring role for the development of
hiking tourism. The project focuses on establishing the Via
Alpina “product” and exploring further development methods.
The analysis of feedback from the public, the results of the
studies and pilot projects, and further ideas which have arisen
from the networking activities have formed the basis for a
second project phase in 2005-2007. The name of this second
project is: Via Alpina Development Venture (Viadventure).