Leonardo SoTo "Social Tourism" workshop final report

Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

So.To. project WP7 - Exploitation events Workshops’ Report 1.

Country: Italy Partners: Fare Comunità, Cefal Emilia Romagna.

Type of event: Workshop.

Date: The Thursday the 2nd of October 2014.

Place: “Maselina Farm”- Castel Bolognese (RA).

Title of the event: “Identity and Culture of the territory, toward an integrated incoming”.

Number of invitations sent: There were invited 120 associations, bodies and person.

Number of the participants: 56 associations, bodies and person attended the event.

Participants: Technical Directors of travel agencies, Touristic Guides, Tour Operators, Travel Agencies, Local Associations, The society of the area, Local experts, Teachers, Technicians and Consultants Tourism Marketing, Incoming Structures, Eno Gastronomy Operators, Public Administrators, Event Organizers, Communication Agencies, Twinning Associations, Social Cooperatives and Community, Sports Associations, Eco-Museums, Schools of Italian and foreign language (Russian, English, German, etc.), Cultural Operators, Web and digital marketing strategist, Publishers of food and wine guides, Facilitators, Marketing and Regional Tourism and Business Tourism.

Contact person: comunicazione@farecomunita.com leonardo.soto@cefal.it Number of speakers: 8 speakers.

Area, field of the event: Tourism, education and training, VET and TS, involvement stakeholder, creation of a club of touristic product.

Topics discussed:      

So.To. project and the opportunity of a European partnership.

Territorial culture and social responsibility of the enterprise.

Starting from emerging tourisms to create a touristic package on the territory.

The network of the twining cities, as a touristic opportunity.

Touristic guide as an active resource for the territory.

Active tourism as resource of incoming.

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

Summary of topic 1: The main objective of the project is to experiment and to model subsequently a training program, focused on the design and management of a tourism company with "social vocation" (www.socialtourism.eu).

The social vocation is to be interpreted in an "extended" sense, with the tourist at the centre of the reflection, as an active subject, "different and not standardized," that is humanly driven by intrinsic motivations, related to social and environmental issues, and by emotions aroused by the places and communities that he/she visits.

Summary of topic 2: The choice of the Masselina Farm intended to express the role that production companies hold in a concept of Culture of Hospitality based on the identity element of the territory in which they operate.

"Wine is part of a territory and the producer is the custodian of the landscape- says Elena Piva, Cevico Group - and it is important that the wine-making system is related to the wine industry of hospitality and promotion. The wine in Romagna is an expression of territorial identity; it constitutes together with other agro-alimentary products the cornerstone of a “food and wine and tourism” proposition for the entire region. The time is ripe to turn on alliances between operators of hospitality.

The Cevico Group works with companies of Emilia including the vinegar of Family Medici of Montecchio, in the province of Reggio Emilia. Alessandra Medici brought the testimony on how it was difficult to insert her company as a tourist destination, but the effort has paid off with more than five thousand visits in 2013 (http://www.acetaiamedici.it).

Summary of topic 3: We need to work on awareness: the" Romagna" as an “homogeneous" District with a huge potential, joining agriculture + tourism + culture of the territories – this is the thought of Roy Berardi, Coordinator of the “Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori of Forli/Cesena”, as well as journalist of "Emerging Tourisms".

Roy Berardi has distributed a catalogue of “touristic proposals of rural hospitality of quality of the territories of Romagna district", thought for Expo 2015 to explore the museums and the Taste of Rurality of the coast.

Summary of topic 4: This is the experience of Monica Price, who has decided to create travel agency, focusing on Active tourism, thanks to her experience with American TO Experience Plus since 1972, specialized in facilitating the experience by bike of North American, in places that do not know, in all of Europe. According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association, Italy is at fourth place as a destination for travel by bicycle and it estimates that 66% of the amount paid by the tourist remains on the territory, compared to 17% of mass tourism. An independent cycle tourists spend on average 30€ per day in services and local foods, compared to 9€ of a motorist. Those arriving by car brings with them what they need, while cyclists cannot do it.

The Active tourism has a number of advantages: • Extension of the season (April, June, September, October, but also for winter activities such as snowshoeing, etc.).

• Valorisation of land and smaller towns, (for example the Emilia Romagna: the hinterland rather than the coast).

• Environmental sustainability: groups of walkers or cyclists do not have vehicles or they only have one for all rather than one for each.

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

• Cost: the active holiday can have low costs, an interesting possibility in times of crisis!

Monica Price noted, however, that it is possible to pay more than 4.000€ for their bike tour in our country, to provide all necessary assistance in accordance with the expectations of its customers.

To the ability to create proposals for Hospitality, works alongside the need to identify commercial channels direct from Italy and abroad.

Andrea Succi reported the development of a network of twinning called "Romagna TwinNet" initiated last year, which aims to use the potential of international relations with 52 cities in 11 countries around the world. An example already activated on the territory comes from Lugo, the President of the local twinning Association, Vincenzo Coletta: with the German city of Kulmbach they have started commercial relations of exchange, starting from food and wine.

Another channel, not yet used, is represented by the Regional Council of “Emiliano-Romagnoli in the world”.

Summary of topic 5: "In experiential tourism, experience is the motivation of the holiday, as an additional activity."

This is what affirmed Alberto Bedeschi, President of the Cooperative of Community "Oltrevalle."

The visitor wants to learn, understand and try and be involved in the activities, especially if organized by the "local" (by locals). The community participates in the actively and welcomes tourists as a temporary resident.

But what do we already know about the digital age Tourist? According to Bedeschi, tourist takes information in Internet, sees the opinions and travel experiences of other travelers, books through the online booking portals, identifies a series of tours, activities and places to visit before departure. Shares and comments.

Very often the tourist arrives in the area with his/her idea and a list of things to do, with the aim to live unique and emotional experiences.

An example of a participatory creation of proposals for hospitality is "Terre del Lamone." It is a process participated born from the project "Lamone, Common Good", sponsored by the City of Bagnacavallo and Ecomuseo delle Erbe Palustri of Villanova di Bagnacavallo. The aim is to conclude a “River Contract”, involving a single round table of discussion with citizens, associations, local authorities and technical authorities.

The pathway lasted from December 2013, to June 2014, at the end of which, the operators have decided to carry out a coordination table of Tourism interested in soft mobility, typical and excellent food and wine, from Marradi to Marina Romea, and to the activation of programs of Hospitality starting from a first mapping: • Courses and artistic workshops: ceramics, mosaic, painting, ecc; old crafts: copper and iron, wood, Romagna prints, ceramic, marsh grasses etc.

• Visit to farms: beekeeping, Romagna blackberry, oil, wine, vinegar, cheese, jam, brown, saffron, bread, organic garden, shallots, fruit etc.

• Cooking classes and courses of Italian language for foreigners.

• Guided tours and hiking, biking, boating, horseback riding, Nordic walking, caving, bird watching, in fishing hut, ecc.

Summary of topic 6: The central and neuralgic theme is to identify who today is able to prepare, in a structured way, tailored and personalized hospitality programmes, that could answer to the transversal needs of tourists, who seek to live more experiential forms of tourism in the same period of stay.

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

General summary provided by the partner on the event (i.e. questions that emerged and discussed final evaluation of the event): Some relevant key points: • • • • • • •

the need for a strategy for the development of the territory to define a common identity; Operators, that "live” with tourism, have a partial knowledge of the experiential tourism’s offers present in Romagna, starting from those who have accommodation in the hinterland.

It is necessary to think about shapes of tourism that could involve the operators, from the hills to the sea and for all seasons.

Our travel agencies in Romagna have not manage incoming, therefore, they did not know about the "products", that were described from different parts eloquently. Today make incoming is not considered profitable.

There is no organic unity between investments in promotional activities of the public sector and the commercial activities of individual operators (always thinking and starting from the hills and the plains).

The Tour Guides, starting from the foreigners residing in Romagna, seek support of ideas and proposals from "local expert".

Particular attention is to be given to logistics and internal connections, which is still lacking compared to the needs and requests.

Other interesting information (i.e. good practices emerged, suggestions, remarks): The Workshop took place to pursue multiple goals at the same time: • • •

Summon those who are interested in developing an incoming tourism from the hinterland of Romagna, from the hills to the sea in the province of Ravenna and in the whole of Romagna, for all four seasons. highlight the potential of direct channels with foreign countries, through existing activities. promote an operation of a real networking between operators, as an opportunity for discussion and exchange of experiences, ideas.

Massimo Vernocchi created "FilMareMonti", based in Ravenna, in order to propose the most suitable location in Romagna in the filming of movies, short films. In regions such as Basilicata, Puglia, Alto Adige, the "Film Commission" are interesting sources of income, both direct and to give more visibility to its most evocative places. The current project is to create a "Romagna District for film production", Public- Private type, to which have expressed interest some local government (Forlì, Faenza, Lugo, Ravenna, etc.).

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

2.

Country: Greece Partners: Municipality of Rhodes, KEK Z Invest.

Type of event: Conference (C), local seminar (LS).

Date: Tuesday the 13th of May 2014.

Place: Athens, Hotel “Athinais”.

Title of the event: “Social Enterprises and Social Tourism”.

Number of invitations sent: There were invited 25 associations, bodies and people.

Number of the participants: 6 associations, bodies and people attended the event.

Contact person: Mrs. Sofia Tsiortou.

Type of each communication and speakers name: • • • • •

Mrs. Matina Kanaki from Koinsep.org.

Mr. Mihailides from EOT (Hellenic Tourism Organisation).

Mr. Panagiotis Kaloritis from the Tourism Social Enterprise Amfitriti.

Mr. Thomas Prassas from the Prefecture.

Mrs. Aggeliki Giannelou from KEK Z Invest.

Number of speakers: 5 speakers.

Area, field of the event: Tourism, education and training, VET and TS, involvement stakeholder.

Topics discussed: • • • •

Social enterprises in Greece.

Social tourism in Greece.

The potential of social tourism outside the government schemes.

Social tourism in VET training.

Useful Contacts (including stakeholders): • • •

HATTA- Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies.

EOT– Hellenic Tourism Organisation.

Koinsep.Org (Network of social enterprises).

Summary of topic 1: The situation of social enterprises in Greece and in particular the legislation behind them.

The importance of stakeholders and correct information and training in order for them to become competitive.

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

Summary of topic 2: EOT presented the social tourism scene in Greece and what the Ministry of Tourism and the Hellenic Organisation of Tourism is doing in this area. Social tourism can expand into the private sector and there are initiatives depicting this. EOT is open for new cooperation and information in the area and can promote it through their schemes.

Summary of topic 3: EOT presented the social tourism scene in Greece and what the Ministry of Tourism and the Hellenic Organisation of Tourism is doing in this area. Social tourism can expand into the private sector and there are initiatives depicting this. EOT is open for new cooperation and information in the area and can promote it through their schemes.

Summary of topic 4: There is a need for specific training in VET for social tourism enterprises and social enterprises in general. In addition, there is a need for stronger cooperation between stakeholders and active organisations in the field to stimulate VET training delivery. The certification aspect is very important.

General summary provided by the partner on the event (i.e. questions that emerged and discussed final evaluation of the event): The summary stated that there is an interest for collaboration as long as all parties can gain from this collaboration. Public organisations are willing to help private initiatives and social tourism schemes. Social enterprises are facilitated in their work through the new legislation and funding schemes that the government is promoting in the area. Further cooperation was discussed and creation of a common project.

Other interesting information (i.e. good practices emerged, suggestions, remarks): Koinsep.org and EOT are very interested in further the training and the certification in the Greek market and train all social enterprises that wish to enter into the social tourism area. Further discussion is being held and a common project will start, probably mid-2015.

Links to internet websites of assosiations- bodies participating: www.hatta.gr koinsep.org www.greece4all.eu www.eot.gr www.kekzinvest.gr

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

3.

Country: Poland Partners: Lower Silesian Tourist Organization.

Type of event: Conference (C).

Date: Friday the 10th of October 2014.

Place: Hotel im. Jana Pawła II, 2 Św. Idziego Street 50 -328 Wrocław.

Title of the event: “Future in Tourism, Tourism in Future”.

Number of invitations sent: There were invited 20 associations, bodies and people.

Number of the participants: 13 associations, bodies and people attended the event.

Participants: Leo Sp. Z o. o., PTTK „Sudety Zachodnie, Castle Książ Sp. z.o.o., Centrum of Culture “Zamek”, Group of Hotels Wam, Castle Międzylesie Sp. z o.o., Museum Karkonoskie, Academy of Physical Education in Cracow, Fundation Institut of regional development in Cracow, Academy of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Lower Silesian Chamber of Tourism, Lower Silesian Tourist Organization and University of Wroclaw.

Contact person: rajmund.papiernik@dot.org.pl arkadiusz.dolega@dot.org.pl Title of each communication and speakers name (if is C/LS/M/WS): Results of So.To. Project – Ιntegrated training course for social tourism.

Future of social tourism.

Number of speakers: 2 speakers.

Area, field of the event i.e. Tourism, Social and Enterprise etc.: Tourism, Education and training.

Expression of interest in signing agreement letters: 3 of Universities and Academies interested in signing agreement letters.

Useful Contacts (including stakeholders): All contacts and e – mail collected /20/ Topics discussed: • •

Results of SoTo Project – integrated training course for social tourism.

Future of social tourism.

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

Summary of topic 1: We discuss together with tutors and entrepreneurs and employees about SoTo training course structure give information about results of the project including also good practices know from study visit from the other hands we speak with employees about their needs in this area.

Summary of topic 2: We are talking about situation of social tourism particularly in Poland and future trends in this segment.

General summary provided by the partner on the event (i.e. questions that emerged and discussed final evaluation of the event): Event was very successful with interesting voices from the audience.

Links to internet websites of assosiations- bodies participating: http://www.awf.wroc.pl/pl/structure/unit/1962/1962/Katedra_Turystyki http://wtir.awf.krakow.pl http://www.uni.wroc.pl http://www.firr.org.pl/index.php?lang=pl http://dit.wroc.pl http://www.hotelewam.pl http://www.muzeumkarkonoskie.pl and others from tourism branch.

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

4.

Country: Malta Partners: University of Malta.

Type of event: Workshop.

Date: Saturday the 26nd of July 2014.

Place: “Institute of Tourism, Travel and Culture”.

Title of the event: “Soto and Social Tourism in Malta as part of Tourism in the Mediterranean Symposium July 2014; one to one meetings with stakeholders during October 2014”.

Number of invitations sent: There were invited 25 associations, bodies and people.

Number of the participants: 8 associations, bodies and people attended the event.

Participants: Institute of Tourism Studies, Malta Hotels Restaurant Association, MCAST, Ministry for Tourism, Malta Tourism Society, Individual Hotels, Heritage Malta, Malta Tourism Authority.

Contact person: Ms. Sarah Azzopardi.

Number of speakers: 4 speakers.

Title of each communication and speakers name (if is C/LS/M/WS):   

Introduction to So.To. project and the Social Enterprise– Ms. Marie Avellino.

The So.To. Training Programme: Dr. Nadia Theuma.

Lessons Learnt and Way Forward: Ms. Sarah Azzopardi, Prof. Andrew Jones and Course Participants.

Area, field of the event i.e. Tourism, Social and Enterprise etc.: Travel Agency, Local associations, Local experts, Teachers, Consultants, Public administrators, Event Organizers, Cultural operators, Entrepreneurs, Hotel operator, VET and Higher Education Institutions and Hotel and Restaurants representatives.

Expression of interest in signing agreement letters:   

Malta College for the Arts and Sciences.

Institute for Tourism Studies.

Mediterranean Tourism Academy (Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association).

Topics discussed:    

Introduction to Soto Project.

Social Enterprises.

So.To. Training Programme.

Lessons Learnt and Way Forward.

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

Summary of topic 1: Discussion of the usefulness of the Soto Project for the tourism product in Malta.

Summary of topic 2: Following an introduction on the social enterprise concept and its role within innovative tourism environment, the speaker illustrated two examples of the application of social entrepreneurship in Malta. These were based on the two case studies visited during the training course held in June 2014. The speaker introduced the case studies and gave detailed accounts of the activities conducted by these two organisations, namely: Frate Jacobe and Dar Nazareth. Frate Jacobe was described as a good social tourism best practice case study. This is because the activity takes into consideration the various aspects to make a social institution sustainable including the social goal which involves the provision of home amenities to homeless children; the permaculture farming which creates a balance of food provision and work activity for the young, the restaurant which is an opportunity for the young (homeless children) to work in and save financially for when they leave their Frate Jacobe home; a farm of animals for milk products supply and other activities that render the initiative a self-sustaining one. On the other hand, Dar Nazareth was seen as a best practice for social inclusion for disabled persons.

Summary of topic 3: The Speaker outlined the course programme developed as part of the SoTo Project and the process of certification that will be applied through the validation process of the University of Malta.

Summary of topic 4: The speakers gave an overview of the projects that the participants conducted during the training seminar. The projects had a theoretical and also a practical perspective; especially the group project of social tourism in a small village of Zejtun. The model included the combination of ICT and how this can be used to promote the strong tourism characteristics of the village and village life and the promotion of social tourism facilities in the area; including Dar Nazareth– a social tourism initiative for disadvantaged tourism. Other results obtained included:  Participants showed clear vision of the social change they were trying to make through their projects.  Three student projects that could be easily developed into feasible social tourism projects.  The course and projects were informed by stakeholder consultation, research of the social needs issues and policy landscapes.  Partcipants exposed to two social enterprises and their activities.  One participant who went on to pursue higher level of education in tourism as a result of this training programme.  One participant (who is already following a degree in tourism) who would like to pursue further research into social tourism.  One participant who went on to offer training/mentoring to disadvantaged women in Cottonera.  The collaboration between tourism training institutions, social enterprises and organisations working within socially deprived areas.  Raising of awareness of social tourism application in Malta with Ministry for Tourism and the tourism industry at large.

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

General summary provided by the partner on the event (i.e. questions that emerged and discussed final evaluation of the event): Feedback given included:    

Further information of how the industry can apply social tourism practices within its operations.

Curriculum to be more focused and shortened in order to be more applicable for the tourism enterprise owners.

A way forward could be to link more the training programme with the social enterprise partners.

A possible future opportunity is to include an international internship between partner countries so social tourism knowledge and best practice is disseminated between social and enterprise actors between the project partners.

Links to internet websites of associations- bodies participating: http://www.mhra.org.mt/ http://www.its.edu.mt/ http://www.mcast.edu.mt/ http://heritagemalta.org Other interesting information (i.e. good practices emerged, suggestions, remarks): A number of suggestions were given to the So.To. Team: 

  

Discussions included whether this training programme could lead to education/training at a higher level – this course in Malta led to one person pursuing a higher level course at University, whilst the other was encouraged to mentor socially disadvantaged persons.

Choice of tutors to be from social tourism/social enterprise backgrounds.

Social tourism to be integrated with other forms of tourism.

Promote a platform for between social enterprises and tourism as a operators, as a networking place for discussion.

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

5.

Country: Romania Partners: Pestalozzi Foundation.

Type of event: Workshop.

Date: Saturday the 23nd of October 2014.

Place: Bucharest.

Title of the event: “The integrative role of Social Tourism”. The workshop followed (in the afternoon) the dissemination seminar (WP6) titled “The tourism in Romania: between social competencies and social solutions” Number of invitations sent: There were invited 71 associations, bodies and people.

Number of the participants: 59 associations, bodies and people attended the event.

Participants: Stakeholders, Trainers, Public Administrations, Tourism professional associations, Private touristic agencies, NGOs, Beneficiaries.

Contact person: Daniel Sorescu.

Daniela Mihaita.

Number of speakers: 3 speakers.

Title of each communication and speakers name (if is C/LS/M/WS):   

Raluca Mănăilă, președinte RENASIS – Rețeaua Națională Anti-sărăcie și Incluziune Socială (Romanian National Network Anti-poverty and Social inclusion).

Cristina Partal, Asociația Națională pentru Turism Rural, Ecologic și Cultural, filiala Buzău (ANTREC– National Association for Rural, Eologic and Cultural Tourism, Buzau County).

Professor Mihaita Alexandru, Sport Club FAPT.

Area, field of the event i.e. Tourism, Social and Enterprise etc.: Tourism, Education and Training, VET and TS, Involvement Stakeholder.

Topics discussed:   

Poverty in Romania. Main aspects.

ANTREC – From rural tourism to social tourism.

Sport activities for people with disabilities. Organizing space and equipment accordingly with their special needs.

The workshop followed the dissemination seminar about SoTo project, in which the SoTo project was introduced by Daniel Sorescu. Then Alina Dumitru presented Fundatia Pestalozzi’s Training experience in social tourism, and Prof. dr. Mihaela Cozărescu from the University of Bucharest spoke about Social pedagogy and social tourism. Further details about the WP6 Dissemination Seminar carried out by Fundatia Pestalozzi in the relevant folder of the USB Key. 12

Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

Summary of topic 1: Main issues on poverty in Romania. In Romania a large part of population facing poverty and therefore has no access to tourist services. What for many is a standard of everyday life, for other is completely inaccessible. They are the beneficiaries of minimum income, an amount more than symbolic that they should cover their daily needs for themselves and their families.

In this category are the:   

single persons (46%), families with 2 persons (20%), families with 3 persons (15%), families residing in rural areas (almost three quarters out of total recipients), and 46,5% consisting of farming families, 18,4% families of pensioners, 15,3% families that include unemployed.

In this very problematic social context the social economy is very important in social and professional integration of vulnerable persons. But despite the fact that it is widely recognized as the social economy plays a major role in the implementation of active measures of employment policies and social inclusion of vulnerable groups, that it is an important generator of jobs and that has a central role in increasing employment (access to services) to persons belonging to vulnerable groups, so far, in Romania, the law of social economy has not been approved.

Summary of topic 2: Presentation of ANTREC as professional association in rural tourism field and its main activities in order to develop the rural tourism in Romania.

The important role of Romanian rural tourism in developing village and rural economy given the specific rural and novelty Romanian village.

The problems facing rural areas (reducing farm income, rural exodus, loss of traditions) recommends the development of rural tourism as stimulating the rural economy.

Economic and social benefits in valorising Romanian symbols through tourism activity:         

Development of activities from the small production and service.

Emergence of jobs.

Stopping migration of population and even encouraging the return of youths from the major urban centres by creating new jobs that offer the possibility of obtaining additional revenue.

Ensure living and civilization in rural areas like the urban environment.

Conservation and environmental protection areas.

Capitalization of their household products.

Making the resources of the area has.

Develop and promote the exchange of urban and rural culture.

Recovery of traditional housing for tourist use and conservation, as well as other cultural resources which has region.

In Romania, rural tourism, given the potential it has to develop small communities is a form of sustainable local development. Therefore, rural tourism should be seen in close relationship to eco-tourism and agro-tourism. Involving and employing local labour and local resources through affordable programs like "holidays in the country" is a basic promoter of social tourism.

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

Summary of topic 3:        

One of the main issues is to facilitate access in buildings for people with disabilities.

Although the law requires that every public institution to provide these facilities, they exist at the edge of the law.

Increase access of the people to cableway installations and facilitating their access to some trails.

Marking and promoting walking trails (not just mountain) that are accessible and has facilities for people with reduced ability to travel.

Access for people with disabilities in the areas of water and fisheries agreement.

Develop facilities for people with disabilities access to sports and not just the tourist resorts as many resorts.

Construction of swimming pools autonomy access for people with disabilities.

It is important and necessary in tourist resorts exist even people familiar with the problems of persons with reduced motility.

Workers in the tourism sector should be made aware that the tourist who has difficulty moving a few details makes the difference: reception luggage room with no threshold, the size of the bathroom so as to allow wheelchair access.

General summary provided by the partner on the event (i.e. questions that emerged and discussed final evaluation of the event): The sector of hospitality and tourism in Romania equally involve facilities and services.

Competitive services can be ensured only by well trained and specialized personnel, having an adequate attitude, correct mentality, proper behaviour and fine performances. To create educated and skilled labour force implies the need for training, basic education and professional courses as well as continuous practical instruction at the work place. Hospitality implies to satisfy visitors’ requirements and to gain the competence to meet or even to exceed visitors’ expectations. If the expectations built up by tourism marketing and promotion fail to be met because of missing skilled/qualified labour force, then tourism activities cannot develop on durable basis.

Other interesting information (i.e. good practices emerged, suggestions, remarks): The Workshop was considerate a good opportunity for increasing awareness in two ways:  

for NGOs working in social inclusion filed, to approach social tourism as a efficient form of social integration, and for tourist operators and entrepreneurs, to understand the importance of social dimension of their activity.

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

6.

Country: Spain Partners: OES. Type of event: Meeting (M), Conference (C), Local seminar (LS).

Date: Wednesday the 29nd of October 2014.

Place: Barcelona.

Title of the event: “SoTo Project”.

Number of invitations sent: There were invited 16 associations, bodies and people.

Number of the participants: 10 associations, bodies and people attended the event.

Participants: Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona City Council, OES, WWF, Tecnia, Metropolitan area of Barcelona, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Justice Department, Acciona Trasmediterranea και Viajes Star.

Contact person: Ana Carballo.

Number of speakers: 1 speaker.

Title of each communication and speakers name (if is C/LS/M/WS): 

SoTo Project.

Area, field of the event i.e. Tourism, Social and Enterprise etc.: Tourism, Education and Training, VET and TS, Involvement Stakeholder, οther (specify) Government.

Useful contacts: Jordi Lahora, Claudi Cervelló, Jaume Molero, M Ximena Gadea, Carme Sans, Dolors Gordi, M Angeles Escarpenter, Francisco Carballo, Gemma Quilez-Badia, Angeles Lozano, Raimond Blasi, Oscar Carballo, Ivan Gonzalez, Beatriz Garriz, Jordi Termens και Bruno de Jesús.

Expression of interest in signing agreement letters: Yes. Topics discussed:  

So.To. training course.

Social Tourism in general.

Summary of topic 1: How can a Public Administration use the contents of the training course to promote the social tourism.

How can a travel agency can use the contents of the training course to offer new kind of tourism.

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Leonardo SoTo – “Socializing Tourism, integrated training course for social tourism” Number of project: 527466 – LLP – 1 – 2012 – 4172/001 - 001

How can NGO’s use the contents of the training course to develop new activities in the touristic sector.

Summary of topic 2: Why is important the social tourism in Catalonia.

The possibilities for the touristic sector.

General summary provided by the partner on the event (i.e. questions that emerged and discussed final evaluation of the event): For all the assistants where very interesting because they are going to have a good contents to help them to promote new activities and identify the existing one.

All of them said that Catalonia is a region with an important touristic sector and the social tourism could help to increase this sector and could make this region more social.

They we’re interested in the contents and want the final report with all the information because it’s an European action tested in different countries.

Links to internet websites of associations- bodies participating: www.gencat.cat www.bcn.cat www.trasmediterranea.com

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