Baza danych projektów PROW
Promotion of Freshwater Fishing and Other Rural Tourist Attractions in Wallonia
Summary
The project invested in infrastructure, created a website, designed and promoted a combination of local tourist attractions for individuals, families, schools and companies.
Background
Previous rural development support (through Leader +) highlighted the potential to develop sustainable & innovative fishing tourism. Past actions included development of new fishing sites, development of reception infrastructure, mobilisation of village communities & development of targeted partnerships with local food services. This project was designed to further build on this potential by expanding the range of products & services, enhancing linkages between service providers in the region.
Objective
The LAG Pays de l’Ourthe aims to promote sustainable economic development, balanced between preservation & exploitation of natural & cultural resources. The specific objectives of this project include: (i) Design & development of new nature & fishing tourism products; (ii) Promotion & development of the Ourthe valley as an attractive center for tourism & fishing; (iii) Raising awareness of the diversity of tourism opportunities in the region.
Main activities
Activities included: (i) Investment in new fishing stations, dams & visitor reception areas; (ii) Development of new fishing tourism products & combination packages (& incentives), maximimising synergies with other tourist attactions in the areas; (iii) Development of new local tourist networks & partnerships; (iv) Establishment of linkages with the European Network for Fishing Tourism (through FARNET) to exchange experience & assist in promotion of fishing tourism sites to other regions.
Results & Benefits
(i) Promotion of fishing attractions for individual fishermen, groups, schools, & companies via “incentive” days; (ii) Website promoting tourism opportunities, including combined tourism products on one or more days (e.g Flywalk, River and Chocolate factory, Fishing with friends); (iii) Development of network of partners + linked touristic sites; (iv) Increased numbers of visitors, incomes for local tourist businesses & new job opportunities.
Lessons learnt
Awareness of fishing tourism is limited in Wallonia. The sector is relatively scattered and its promotion under-developed. The project approach to combine fishing activities with other tourism products has proved both innovative and successful. The approach has the potential to be used in other rural regions in Europe that have similar fishing resources and other touristic attractions and potential.
Project location and other information
LAG pays d’Ourthe : villages of Houffalize, La Roche, Rendeux, Hotton, Erezée, Manhay and Durbuy
Region
Prov. Luxembourg (B)
RDP Territory
Wallonia
Total project cost (€)
183 100
EAFRD contribution (€)
82 395
National contribution (€)
82 395
Private contribution (€)
18 310
Project website
Contact name
Francois Adant
Telephone
00 32 84 41 35 71
Languages for contact
English, German
Original Language version
At a glance
Country
Belgium
Final beneficiary type
Local Action Group
Budget range
€100 000 - €500 000
Start date:
01/01/2009
End Date:
31/12/2012
Theme / Measure:
Implementing the LEADER Approach
Implementing local development strategies
413. Quality of life/diversification
Keywords:
Packaging, River basin management, Tourism, Eco-tourism
Last update
15/02/2012