SAVE THE DATE: XII European Charter Network Meeting

Logo of "The Charter"

Published on:

The Charter Award Ceremony, our annual high-level event will take place 14th – 16th September 2021 in Sabugal, Portugal.

The Future Starts Today

Twenty years ago, a group of Protected Areas and tourism professionals came together to create a new way of working, that would seek to build sustainable destinations, that were Good for Nature and Good for People. That was the beginning of the Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas, now with 107 destinations in 15 countries.

The possibility for people to come together in the last 18 months was removed as a result of the Covid pandemic, but we begin to take safe and measured steps to meet once again. EUROPARC, with the generous support of the Municipality of Sabugal in Portugal, in the “Terras do Lince” Sustainable Destination announce the XII European Charter Network Meeting: “The Future Starts Today”.

The event will be intentionally smaller and planned with regard to all Portuguese safety regulations, yet we hope to ensure a comfortable, relaxed and engaging event. Some of the sessions will be held outdoors and this meeting will act as a test for us to learn the new protocols on hosting an international event.

Hopefully a larger number of us will be already vaccinated by then, however it is imperative that all intended participants check and comply with the Covid-related entry regulations from your country to Portugal.

We will have for you an exciting programme of keynote speakers and workshops to bring the latest thinking and practice in communication, visitor monitoring, technology and other themes from across the EUROPARC network. There will be plenty of opportunities for “socially distanced” networking, to find out how everyone across the network is coping and creating their new futures. There will be chances for you too, to share your ideas, projects and inputs in a special speaker’s corner. The generous hospitality of our Portuguese hosts will ensure you feel safe and welcomed, engaging fully with local culture. You will also have the opportunity to visit the “Terras do Lince” Sustainable Destination, and see how they are working with the Charter.

A special awards ceremony will bring together the Charter community along with other EUROPARC awards.

So if you are working in a sustainable tourism business or a Protected Area, or are just interested in sustainable tourism, please consider joining us in September for this unique event.

A more detailed programme and registration will be open by late June.

SAVE THE DATE for now!

What is the price?

The conference fee is 70 Euro for EUROPARC members and Charter Partners, and 90 Euro for non-members.

How to get there?

You would need to arrive in Madrid (390 km 4h30) or Porto (3 hours – 250 km). Transfer from each will be available on 13th and 17th.

There is plenty of accommodation available in and around Sabugal and we invite you to explore this lovely area.

Stay tuned for more information to come and we hope to see you face to face in Portugal!