Qualitätsweg and Leading Quality Trails CERTRESS Workshop Salzburg, 3. December 2012 Liane Jordan, Deutscher Wanderverband
Deutscher Wanderverband 58 member organisations Altmärkischer Wanderverein e.v. Wiehengebirgsverband e.v. 3000 local groups 600.000 members
Deutscher Wanderverband founded in 1883 as a tourist association approx. 600.000 members in 58 regional associations about 200.000 km of walking trails 20.000 trail marking volunteers 110.000 guided walks Nature conservation organization according to BNatSchG (german nature conservation law) expert organization for walking in Germany
Einführung Qualitätsweg Wanderbares Deutschland trail assessment and evaluation system Qualitätsweg Wanderbares Deutschland Deutscher Bildautorin: Wanderverband Liane Jordan 2010
How to improve the hiking infrastrukture? 2001 Project DWV + DTV Qualitätsoffensive Wanderbares Deutschland 2001-2003 Market Research Interviews Fieldworks criteria system 2004 Certification Eggeweg Frankenweg Kellerwaldsteig Criteria system based on the needs and wishes of hikers
Certified hiking trails have... Foto Erik Neumeyer
natural trails Foto Erik Neumeyer
narrow paths Foto Erik Neumeyer
user-friendly marking
sign-posting Foto Erik Neumeyer
impressive views Foto Erik Neumeyer
natural attractions Foto Erik Neumeyer
picturesque towns Foto Erik Neumeyer
cultural highlights Foto Erik Neumeyer
resting places Foto Erik Neumeyer
continous accessibility
service provisions Foto Erik Neumeyer
Certified hiking trails have... all you need and desire as a hiker Foto Erik Neumeyer
The Market for walking in Germany: walking frequency 30 % of all germans go for a walk at least once a month There is a huge potential for growth
Which direction? A trail map remains the most important tool Almost 50% are not using any aid to orientation Die Wanderkarte bleibt das wichtigste zusätzliche Orientierungsmittel
Signposting and trail marking signposting and trail marking constitute the backbone of the walking infrastructure
Trail maintenance is the foundation for walking tourism
Walking in Europe In many countries walking activities are booming New trails and infrastructure are developed Walking is becoming an economic factor and stimulates the development of the tourism industry Increasing pressure from (touristic) competitors Common guidelines are more and more requested
ERA European Ramblers Association EWV Europäische Wandervereinigung FERP Fédération Européenne de la Randonnée Pédestre 55 members 30 countries 2.700.000 organised walkers 12 European long distance paths cross-border paths protecting the countryside a knowledge of European history and culture free access to the countryside cross-border cooperation the organisation of pan-european events
Leading Quality Trails October 2010 ERA Presidium decided to establish quality criteria for trails in Europe 2011 developing process, fieldwork, pilot project Lechweg
Leading Quality Trails Lenkungsgruppe European Ramblers Association (ERA), Denmark Deutscher Wanderverband Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre Füssen Tourismus und Marketing ORT- Region Müllerthal Kleine Luxemburger Schweiz Klub českých turistů, (KČT) (club of czech tourists) Regionalentwicklung Außerfern REA, Österreich Pilot project: Lechweg, von der Quelle bis zum Fall
Leading Quality Trails Pilot project: Lechweg von der Quelle bis zum Fall 120 km Formarinsee/Lech (Austria) Lechfall/Füssen (Germany) 7 daily stages easy walking alpine panoramic views
Leading Quality Trails October 2010 ERA Presidium decided to establish quality criteria for trails in Europe 2011 developing process, fieldwork, pilot project Lechweg June 2012 award for Lechweg (Austria/Germany) Oktober 2012 award for Escapardenne (Luxemburg/Belgium) 2013 award for Kullalden (Sweden), Moselsteig (Germany)?...
New for trails all over Europe Since 2001 for trails in Germany
Criteria categories Trail type Signposting/Marking Nature/Landscape Culture Civilization Safety/Level of difficulty Service/Mobility Accessibility useful criteria for an attractive walking trail
Evaluation levels Overall length from start to the end Sections daily stages with transportation 4-km section - all have to achieve at least 11 points Comprehensive evaluation on different levels, adaptable on landscapes and cultural characteristics
4-Kilometer sections Daily-Stages Overall length of the route Stage 1 Stage 2
Steps in the quality process preparation and improvement Data assessment Local spot checks Application for certification Improvements Training of experts in the region Data collection by experts analysis and examination
Training in the region Foto Erik Neumeyer
Status analysis Foto Erik Neumeyer
Data collection
Filtering of strengths and weaknesses
Improvement of trail configuration and infrastructure old route new route
Data control and inspection on location Foto Erik Neumeyer
Handing over the certificate
Leading Quality Trails multiple uses for walking tourism giving the walking tourist an overview and decision aid giving regard to ecology and nature preservation involvement of all affected parties in the quality process trained and competent trail experts in the area competitive edge for the walking region in marketing
2 Leading Quality Trails 86 Qualitätswege
www.leading-quality-trail.eu
Overview of the criteria in English, Français and German
Thank you for your attention! New opportunities for walking in Europe Contact: Liane Jordan l.jordan@wanderverband.de