As part of the transnational project "Stronger Together for a Sustainable Tourism", a delegation from the Mëllerdall region visited County Wicklow in Ireland at the beginning of October. The aim of the trip was to discuss sustainable tourism solutions with partner regions from Finland and Ireland.
Delegation from the region
The group was led by the project sponsor ORT Mullerthal - Luxembourg's Little Switzerland. Representatives from LEADER, the municipalities, the Syndicats d'Initiative et de Tourisme and stakeholders from the business community also travelled with the group. The delegation was accompanied by the Finnish partner regions of Kantri and Poko.
Central topics
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How can visitors to tourist destinations be guided in a sustainable way?
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How can tourism adapt to the consequences of climate change?
Insights on site
The study trip took the participants to the Treetop Walk in Avondale, the Mountain Rescue Base and the Wicklow Mountains National Park, among other places.
On the second day of the trip, a visit to the Vartry Trail Playpark Recreation Centre was on the agenda, which impresses with its natural facilities.
In Glendalough, a medieval monastery complex in a breathtaking natural setting, the guests were given an insight into visitor management and learnt how hiking trails are diverted in the event of heavy rain and flooding.
In the afternoon, the group laced up their hiking boots for a two-hour stage of the Wicklow Way, where sustainable maintenance and restoration of hiking trails were discussed.
The day was rounded off with a joint dinner hosted by the Irish LEADER partner Wicklow LCDC. Melanie Corrigan, Councillor of Wicklow County and President of the Local Action Group, warmly welcomed the guests from Luxembourg and Finland.
Diplomatic reception
Before the delegation travelled home, Ambassador Florence Ensch received them at the Luxembourg Embassy in Dublin. The reception emphasised the importance of international exchange, including for the promotion of sustainable tourism strategies.
