What are the impacts of trails and hiking on rural communities? MedINA took part in the first workshop of a nascent European network of researchers working on hiking and rural development facilitated by UCV (Valencia Catholic University Saint Vincent Martyr).
Representatives from five Spanish Universities and the Spanish Federation FEDME, shared insights from their research and experience. The shared knowledge was also applied in a case study at the trail initiative of Puebla De Arenoso, in Spain’s mountainous heartland.
MedINA highlighted that trail development in Greece is now in a dynamic phase, becoming professionalized with the emergence of organized projects as well as specialized CBOs, consultants and companies. The trails and hiking sector of Greece is a key driver of sustainable tourism development in remote and rural communities. The presentation included MedINA’s methodologies and tools for integrated adaptive management & innovation in trail projects to maximize impact.
The 3-day workshop in Valencia has been another step in building friendship with UCV as well as fostering Mediterranean-wide collaboration.
photo credit: Victor Sanchez (UCV)