1. EDEN INNOVATION PRIZE 2013
In cooperation with:
VISTAS Awards by Econtrans, Destinet, Alpine Pearls, Quality Coast

2. DIC
Dear Antonio,
It‘s all about finding the own way to develop and market environmentally
friendly, socially compatible and economically successful tourism services and
products, as described with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria and as
being measurable with the European Tourism Indicators for Sustainable
Destinations.
I enjoyed very much reading the innovation examples of Durbuy, Failal,
Landlust, Ligatne, Limburg, Nin, Bohinj, Jurmala and Kuldiga: they show all a
high level of collaboration of individuals, businesses and public
administrations for making their destination more sustainable. They are
maintaining and using their local natural and cultural heritage, and they
successfully invest their energy and creativity to offer tourist experiences
which they can be very proud of and which they enjoy themselves.
All of them deserve to be mapped on the independent global DestiNet Atlas
i.o. to make them visible as „green destinations“ to marketing and booking
services, travel agencies, tour operators and media.
If more EDEN destinations follow this direction and show what they have then
the EDEN network can give a real good choice of „Sustainable tourism:
Europe at it‘s best“
(Herbert Hamele, on behalf of the DIG Group - November 6th, 2013)
Herbert Hamele
President of ECOTRANS and
GSTC board member
herbert.hamele@ecotrans.de
http://Ecotrans.org
http://Destinet.eu

3. DIC
GOLD MEDALS
Ligatne COMMUNITY BUILDING
This is an excellent story about a re-energised community and the opportunities are almost endless, both to deepen the
tourism product – accommodation, production, length of stay etc but also to widen it by creating a cluster of local
tourism destinations.
A good case based on willingness and energy of some local people to maintain the paper mill (industrial cultural site)
and to to produce new paper through recycling, and to make the mill accessible through paths and guides. Perhaps
there is a potential to link the mill with other/similar mills or other sites in the region to offer to both local people and
guests a "indstrial heritage experience"
Paper production is a skilled enterprise – it would be great to see artisan/entrepreneur/SMME creation around the
destination.
Kuldiga PLACE MAKING
This looks like a massive project with innovative sustainable tourism products (new spin on cycling and walking) at its
heart able to transform a beautiful (but unknown) area and in an multi-activitites tourism destination.
The focus on cycling as soft mobility & the range of activities/sites for tourists to get a comprehensive experience of the
destination's cultural heritage and innovation capacities seems to lay a good base for further development: networking
with partner destinations for exchange and joint marketing, focusing on and further developing special strengths,
highlighting of unique "lighthouses" along a chain of partnering destinations in the Baltic region.
Durbuy PLACE BRANDING
Belgium is a foodie hotspot, but it can be difficult to find the best local artisan products - unless you happen to visit the
small town of Durbuy. Everybody knows it. Cohesive food network/restaurants, producers, chefs, recipes, gifts, key
product & image 0km food is a big advantage to keep the brand alive.

4. DIC
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Bohinj International Wild Flower Festival BRANDING
Obviously Bohinj community has thought deeply about both today’s and tomorrow’s tourism issues and come up with a
solution that is not only sustainable but educational and a great opportunity for other similar destinations.. This is the
sort of concept that has global opportunities – culturally, socially, economically and environmentally. Plus … everybody
loves wild flowers. There is also an opportunity to extend the concept into local food.
Limburg Blossom Ribbon PLACE MAKING
What a brilliant and innovative concept! It hits each and every sustainable tourism theme – economic, cultural, social
and environmental regeneration – and it involves many thousands of stakeholders What a difference it will make for
tourists to see Limburg through its beautiful and productive blossom. Moreover this is a concept that is easily
repeatable in many other destinations.
Faial Natural Park COMMUNITY BUILDING
Faial is great example of a comprehensive buy-in from an unusually wide variety of local stakeholders to make the
most of their natural asset. Clearly the park has a very strong unique selling point. The challenge is to make the most of
tourism by extending the length of stay and by providing as wide a range of activities possible to provide local training
and employment and increase tourism revenue.
Landlust PLACE MAKING
There is clearly a market for tourists to stay in historic properties. The key appears to be the engagement of the
property-owners with the destination and the local communities to provide sustainable economic opportunities.
Nin PLACE MAKING
As a seaside destination, Nin has a relatively short season. The key to its development must be the use of its natural
resources, healing mud, walking trails, natural salt, accommodation – to increase the tourism stay and value. The
opportunities for such a destination are clearly enormous.
Jurmala COMMUNITY BUILDING
A good example to show that community building starts from education.