Rural Europe on the move English_E_version_all | Page 68

CHAPTER 5
Forum Synergies'Forestry Programme
“Forest management and the forestry industry have to enhance efforts in favour of sustainable forest
been under scrutiny at global level since deforestation management. After 3 meetings (UK - 2016, SRB -
was identified as an issue of concern in the 1970s. 2016; EE-2018) the 4th workshop is now planned in
Although numerous initiatives have been launched a Mediterranean country to complete the European
to address this, many challenges remain. Globally perspective on the topic. Having identified the
deforestation has slowed marginally but natural political gap on the EU level from the beginning -
forests and their biodiversity remain critically where no European Forestry Policy exists - the topic
threatened.” Written by FS team in 2012 this is more of climate change has become a more and more
the case now than ever. At that time a small working urgent and obvious challenge since then and will be
group started to elaborate a work plan for activities given priority especially in the following workshops.
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A new rhythm for
tourism
approach to accommodate this.
generation is really good at. It does not
Artur points to the return of a mean that we lose the other aspect of
dynamic, younger generation who connecting people, food, heritage and
Whilst forests take their time to have helped bolster and modernise fun. It is just a different rhythm.”
grow deep roots, the tourist industry the local tourism industry. “They have has become ever faster and busier. access to resources which the elder “The time of having a one month stay in generation has not, such as naturally one place is definitely over,” Artur says. surfing the internet. They are interested
“People want to visit many different in spirituality and new ways of living
places with a high diversity of activities sustainability, want to make the
and services, the Sierra, but also the countryside their new world. Their new
seaside, some sport and adventure views and expectations bring us new
and also some calm hanging out creativity in thoughts and practical
at the beach. That changes almost action. So we now offer a complete
everything.” The region relies on system of bookings, reservations and
tourism and so has had to change its services, and that is what the new
,
,
Mediterranean Diet
and a menu
for everyone
One offer which tries to combine
slow growth with fast-paced,
pleasure-seeking tourists, is the
’Mediterranean Diet Route’, organised
by IN LOCO. Including over 150
enterprises, restaurants, heritage sites,
small farms, village communities and
ecotourism providers, it is a discovery
trail of Algarve Mediterranean Culture
by their food, wine, local products
and special places. The idea is that
tourists get an insight taste for the
area by travelling around and visiting
and having real experiences on these
different projects. “Cooperation and
connection, not competition, is the
spirit of it all,” Artur explains. A fresh
wind is blowing the heat away. Artur
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