Sustainable Tourism Features At European Conference

22nd September 2011

Over 140 delegates from across Europe will be arriving in Inverness next week to take part in a conference looking at ways European destinations can promote the growth of sustainable tourism in mountain areas.

The Sustainable Active Tourism Conference is being organised by The Highland Council in partnership with Euromontana to put the spot light on current issues surrounding developing tourism in mountain areas across Europe. Challenges of the economic crisis, the impact of climate change and strong competition from other tourism destinations will all be looked at as part of the two day event which runs from 27-28 September at The Highland Council headquarters in Inverness.

The event, supported by The Cairngorm National Park, HIE and Forestry Commission Scotland will include presentations by key note speakers including Euromontana president Andre Marcon, Anton Zimmerman from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Peter Braaten, Manager of the National Park of Hallingskarvet, Norway and Riddell Graham, Director of Partnerships with Visit Scotland. There will be workshops study visits covering themes - the management of environmental resources; diversification of tourism activities; the development of skills; and widening access to destinations.

Councillor Isobel McCallum, Vice Chairman of The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee and a Board Member of Euromontana has been involved in organising the conference. She said: "Europe's mountain environments provide unique and diverse tourism venues with a range of well recognised products. Mountain entrepreneurs have continued to develop new tourism products that attract more and more people to mountain areas every year. It is important that these regions have the opportunity to keep their unique culture vibrant and global issues such as climate change and strong competition do not have a negative impact on mountain tourism.

"Not only will this conference give Euromontana members the chance share good practice and have their say on topical issues, but feedback from delegates will be gathered and from this Euromontana will produce a position paper to influence the emerging EU tourism policy with recommendations to support the promotion of sustainable tourism in mountain areas."

Although the conference is now fully booked, anyone wishing to find out more about the work of Euromontana can visit their website www.euromontana.org

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Wind Farms, Councillors and Freedom of Speech: Is Scotland's Planning System Silencing Local Dissent?

The growing number of wind farm developments across the Highlands has created an increasingly difficult question for local democracy.  How far can elected councillors go in expressing concerns about renewable energy developments before they risk being accused of bias and excluded from decisions affecting their own communities? That question has now been brought into sharper focus by Highland councillor Matthew Reiss, who has approached the Ethical Standards Commissioner seeking clear guidance on councillors' conduct when publicly expressing views about renewable energy.  

7/11/2026 : Local Authority

Are Chromebooks Taking Over Our Classrooms? Highland Schools Face Questions About Digital Learning

The use of Chromebooks, laptops and other digital devices in schools was once widely regarded as an important step towards modernising education.  Giving every pupil access to technology promised to improve learning, widen access to information and prepare young people for a world increasingly dependent on digital skills.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Secret HQ Move: Is Highland Council Chasing Savings or Just Shuffling the Deck?

A storm is brewing behind closed doors at Glenurquhart Road.  Recent private discussions have revealed plans for Highland Council to potentially abandon its historic headquarters and relocate to Great Glen House, the current £13 million base of NatureScot.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Committee to consider 1 April 2027 start date for Short-Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be asked to agree that Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs) for Inverness City and Highland Rural come into effect from 1 April 2027.   The recommendation to the Committee follows the decision by Scottish Government Ministers on 26 October 2026 to approve designation of the STLCAs, which are an important tool to manage future loss of housing stock, support sustainable communities and balance housing needs with the visitor economy.  Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “Following Scottish Government approval, the Council can now move forward with implementing these STLCAs, which will help us strike a better balance between supporting tourism growth and protecting much-needed housing for local people.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Key decisions made to improve Highland Bereavement Services

Members of the Communities and Place Committee have made key decisions that will improve affordability and choice within Highland bereavement services at Inverness Crematorium; and introduce stronger governance and transparency for charitable funding applications through the crematorium metal recycling scheme.   Members also approved the adoption of a standardised burial management plan across Highland which will ensure compliance with new national burial management legislation.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Council-owned D&E Coaches delivers £700k profit while supporting Highland transport

D&E Coaches has recorded a £700,000 profit after tax in its first full year under Highland Council ownership.   The Council purchased the coach and bus operator in March 2025 to support the ongoing provision of sustainable and reliable transport services across the Highlands.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Abandoned Vehicles Policy approved by Highland Councillors

Members of The Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee have approved a new Policy on Abandoned Vehicles that will provide a framework for investigating, assessing and enforcement against abandoned vehicles across the region.   Chair of Communities and Place, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: “I welcome this new policy which will help to make a difference in communities where the nuisance of abandoned vehicles arises.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Funding success builds on Highland Council’s commitment to warmer, energy efficient homes

Climate Change Committee Members have welcomed news that The Highland Council has successfully secured external funding in the region of £5.4 million for 2026/27.  This grant funding will support retrofit and decarbonisation programmes for eligible owner occupier, private rented and Council owned houses across the Highlands.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Council to commission independent review of licensing

Members of The Highland Council have today approved the commissioning of an independent external review of the Council’s licensing arrangements following a Council motion approved on 17 September 2026.   The review will consider governance, decision-making processes and opportunities for improvement.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Additional school in-service days agreed - Helping teachers prepare for major curriculum changes

Local councils will be able to request up to two extra in-service days this academic year, so that teachers can prepare for the most significant curriculum changes in more than a decade.   The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together the Scottish Government, local authority body COSLA, and teaching unions has agreed up to two additional in-service days, which will form part of multi-year support for implementation of the updated curriculum.