Author: Elena

The Via Francigena receives the European sustainability award

Post author By Elena
Post date 14 November 2023

Only a few days after being granted the ‘Destinations of Sustainable Cultural Tourism 2023’ award by the European Cultural Tourism Network, the Via Francigena and the Horizon2020 project rurAllure have won another important international recognition: the Skål Europe Sustainable Tourism Award 2023.

The award ceremony, held in Malaga on 5 November on the occasion of 2023 Skål International World Congress, was attended by Martin Lopez Nores from the University of Vigo, rurAllure project coordinator.

The initiative, held in parallel at European and global level, awards best examples of sustainability in the international tourism scene. Participation is open to all public and private sector companies, educational institutions, NGOs and government agencies related to tourism in Europe.

Endorsed by Skål Roma, the EAVF nominated the rurAllure project in the category ‘Major Tourist Attractions’, presenting the network of more than 11,000 km formed by the pilgrimage routes united by the project as a mega-destination for sustainable tourism that transcends national borders, promoting European heritage and diversity as an opportunity for enrichment and cooperation.

The EAVF is a partner in the rurAllure project and manages its frontline communication through social channels and the website, as well as promoting the project at European level through collaborations with journalists, bloggers and international organisations. The EAVF is also responsible for researching and mapping heritage sites along the Via Francigena for the Ways to Rome pilot project.

The ‘Skål Europe Sustainable Tourism Awards’ are an initiative by Skål Europe – which is part of Skål International – an associative organisation of international importance recognised by the World Tourism Organisation. Since 1934 Skål has been bringing together more than 12,500 members from the world of tourism professions, promoting networking and cooperation. Projects must have a clear sustainability focus following the lines of the UN 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Paolo Bartolozzi, International Councillor for Skål in Italy, commented on the award underlining that “projects such as the Via Francigena and rurAllure are extremely significant for their ability to transmit a rich historical memory. This historical memory is linked to the role of the walking routes as a crossroads of peoples, cultures and ideas, which endures also in the present. Skål Awards aims at encouraging these projects to continue promoting social, economic and environmental sustainability. By ensuring the existence of tourist destinations that avoid environmentally negative processes and dilute the flow of tourists over long distances and different times of the year, pilgrimage routes premise a unique tourist experience.”

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Call for influencers, bloggers and content creators

Post author By Elena
Post date 4 August 2022

Are you an influencer and looking for an unforgettable experience this autumn? Are you sporty, adventurous and curious about discovering new places? Then we are looking for someone like you!

In September and October 2022, the French Hiking Federation (FFRandonnée) and the European Association of the Via Francigena ways (EAVF) are organising the “J’aime Francigena” participative events.

The programme includes three hiking events of 2-3 days each organised by the FFRandonnée and EAVF, which will take you through some of the most significant stages of the cultural route of the Via Francigena (GR®145) in France:

Hike 1: 21-23 september from Vitry-le-François to Brienne-le-Château (Grand-Est, Marne et Aube)
Hike 2: from 30 september till 2 october from Bruay-la-Buissière (parc d’Olhain) to Blessy (Hauts-de-France, Pas-de-Calais)
Hike 3: 7-9 october from Mamirolle to Saône and Besançon (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Doubs)

These events are free and open to the public. Each walk along the Via Francigena will cover on an average of 10 – 12 km per day and will be accompanied by a certified guide who explain about local cultural heritage. Representatives of local authorities, the FFRandonnée and the EAVF as well as walkers, tourists, locals, a videomaker and influencers will participate in each hike. These events will be publicised in the media and press and via digital marketing and will receive greater public attention in France, presenting the Via Francigena and the Cultural Routes.

By joining us, you will have an opportunity to:

Experience a ‘slow travel’ adventure, walking with your backpack along the Via Francigena, the historic pilgrimage route linking northern and southern Europe.
Explore rural areas off the beaten track, discover cultures and traditions, taste authentic food and confront yourself every day!
Contribute to the revival of sustainable tourism in Europe.
Increase your visibility, your reputation and strengthen your image on an international level.
Cultivate new collaborations and find new partners.
Be relayed on social networks and the AEVF website (the EAVF website receives more than 4 million visits per year and has 69,000 followers on Facebook and 26,000 on Instagram).
Accommodation, travel expenses and meals are fully covered by the organisers. Remuneration or partial remuneration may be provided.

Terms and Conditions

To apply as a ‘J’aime Francigena’ Ambassadeur you must be fluent in French.

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rurAllure survey : help us identify pilgrims’ needs and motivations

Post author By Elena
Post date 5 October 2021
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RurAllure partner in the ambitious Horizon2020 project, the EAVF invites pilgrims and tourists to participate in a short anonymous survey focused on evaluation of pilgrims’ interests in culture and heritage along the routes: such as visiting museums and cultural sites, participation in local events, seminars, congresses and gastronomic experiences.

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