Landscape of the Year - MU hosts Sustainable Tourism Conference

On December 9th, MODUL University Vienna hosted the closing event of the EC co-funded project Landscape of the Year – European Network for Competitive and Sustainable Tourism.

The project “Landscape of the Year Network” (LoY-Net) was about creating a network of European cross-border tourism regions all of which have been designated as “Landscape of the Year” by Naturefriends International. Based on extensive research of best/worst practices, the project partners have developed materials on how to ensure sustainability in key tourism services, such as tour operators, tour guides, accommodation providers, and tourism associations.

Moderated by Christian Baumgartner, Secretary General of Naturefriends International, the event centered on sustainable strategies and practices in the education of sustainable tourism. Highlights included the key note address from Gianna Moscardo of James Cook University about sustainability in tourism education, and MU's Dagmar Lund-Durlacher speaking on tools and methodology in learning for sustainable tourism.

About 40 attendees from diverse sectors including destination managers, planners, environmentalists, consultants, and academics and students in sustainable development management and policy participated in group discussions and workshops throughout the conference with the objective to provide an education scheme for each of these services in courses/training activities in terms of sustainable practices. Furthermore, a concept to approach students of higher education was proposed and is currently being further elaborated.

In a cosy atmosphere, the conference concluded with an organic food buffet which gave attendees the opportunity to both network and indulge in culinary experiences.

For further information about the project and conference, please visit www.landscapeoftheyear.net