Pilot Action Workshop in the Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen
October 15th 2018 - the Authority of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen, in collaboration with the Director of the resort association of Gager, invited stakeholders to Middelhagen to participate in a workshop on developing a joint vision for tourism in the Zicker Berge area.
After a short introduction by Cathrin Münster, Head of the Authority of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen, about the CEETO Project and the visitor-monitoring going in the Zicker Berge Pilot Action area, Oliver Hack, Master student of the University of Greifswald, presented some first findings of the monitoring. This including data on total visitor numbers counted since the installation of the electronic counting system in July as well as the visitor peak times and visitor averages during the week and on weekends.
Participants at the workshop - Photo by UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen
During the next workshop phase, stakeholders were asked to discuss and point out the challenges in relation to tourism management in the Zicker Berge. A variety of issues was presented i.e. a lack of trail management/planning, different illegal behaviour including wild camping or fire pits. Furthermore, the stakeholder were in agreement that a lack of awareness about environmental issues and in general proper behaviour exists, which can be seen by the various types of trash left behind in this protected area. In two working groups the participants developed possible solutions to the issue of trail management and awareness raising. In the following weeks additional meetings will be organised to further developed and implemented the suggested actions and continue the development of a sustainable tourism management system in the Zicker Berge.
Discussing the Pilot Actions among the participants - Photo by UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen
Giacomo Munegato from Agenda 21 slr and CEETO Project Consultant was involved in the development of the on the spot workshop in Middelhagen and supported the team of the Authority of the Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen in its implementation. This workshop was part of the interreg CEETO Project focusing on the development of innovative tourism management systems in protected areas.
