Kaunertal First Austrian Tourist Destination To Be Awarded The UNWTO “Best Tourism Villages” Seal Of Sustainability
As part of a pilot initiative by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 44 selected rural tourism destinations with a strong focus on sustainability were awarded the “Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO” seal for the first time in 2021. More than 170 destinations from 75 countries have submitted. The Kaunertal in Tyrol is the only Austrian candidate to be among the winners. Destinations with fewer than 15,000 inhabitants were assessed by a jury of experts in the following areas: cultural and natural resources; economic, social and environmental sustainability; Tourism potential / development and regional value chains; Governance; Infrastructure and accessibility; Health and safety.
“I congratulate the Kaunertal and all Kaunertal residents very warmly on this international award. The development towards sustainable tourism is the only correct and promising path in times of the climate crisis, "congratulates Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, who grew up in the Kaunertal and is still very much connected to the valley today.
“Sustainability is becoming more and more important in Austrian tourism. Not only for the guests, but above all for the companies and the regions. The Kaunertal is a prime example of this. I am therefore very proud that the Kaunertal is brought to the curtain on the international stage. It is a prime example of cooperation between tourism and regional policy. Especially in this difficult time for tourism, this worldwide recognition is beneficial, important and valuable - it shows how destination development can be implemented in the sense of our Plan T - master plan for tourism. In order for such a long-term, innovative and sustainable tourism development to succeed, many actors have to cooperate, above all the population. This cohesion also characterizes the Kaunertal ",
The Kaunertal stands for sustainable tourism: The nature park founded by the population was expanded this year to include a large protected area. At the same time, the glacier ski area at the head of the valley offers the chance for a future in winter tourism. Year-round tourism with corresponding annual jobs and the very high quality of life ensure the livelihood of the population.
“I would like to especially thank the tourism association for the initiative and organization of this process. It is the right way in the right direction and only together can we set the course for the future of our valley. Our living space is the basis and tourism can only function sustainably in a healthy symbiosis, ”said Josef Raich Mayor of Kaunertal.
The municipality of Kaunertal and the tourism association have been working closely with the Kaunergrat Nature Park for years. Together they develop projects in the area of climate change adaptation on the topic of awareness-raising, near-natural silviculture, climate-friendly alpine pastures, rainwater use, climate workshops in schools as well as practical approaches for guests in the form of the first climate hiking guide. As a major milestone, the entire population was now also informed by means of workshops with the title “Future. Habitat ”. The focus on sustainable developments and a future worth living in is now shared by all stakeholders.
“The conscious orientation as a sustainable region, which mainly deals with climate change and possible adaptation strategies, has been our topic in the orientation of tourism in the Kaunertal region for many years. All the nicer to hold the confirmation in your hands now! I would like to thank everyone who went along this path, "says TVB managing director Michaela Gasser-Mark
The award was presented by General Secretary Zurab Pololikashvili to Michaela Gasser-Mark, Managing Director of the Kaunertal Tourism Association, at the 24th General Assembly of the UN World Tourism Organization on December 2nd in Madrid.
