Concentrated backing for tourism transformation

The Sauerland tourism industry is delighted: as part of the "Erlebnis.NRW - Shaping the future of culture, nature and sustainable tourism" call for projects from the ERDF/JTF NRW 2021-2027 programme, a proud six applications from the region have received the coveted funding recommendation, bringing them a good step closer to their goal of realization and project implementation.

"For us, the funding recommendation is confirmation of the good preparatory work of the tourism partners and implementing institutions in cooperation with us as a destination management organization," says a delighted Dr Jürgen Fischbach, Managing Director of Sauerland Tourism. "The projects give us the opportunity to take an important step towards a future-oriented reorientation, especially in the area of sustainability and digitalization of existing tourism products, and thus meet the constantly increasing demands of the market."

Here is an overview of the projects in which Sauerland is involved:

Data platform with parking guidance system

Based on real-time data, an agile, fully digital visitor guidance system is to be developed in the municipality of Möhnesee using an open data platform. This is intended to ensure an optimized experience of the Möhnesee natural area with moderate guidance of visitors and thus minimize the impact at the same time.

Discovery sites - experiencing nature for the youngest visitors

The aim is to provide low-threshold and easily accessible nature offers for families in the participating Sauerland Rothaargebirge, Arnsberg Forest and Diemelsee nature parks. The aim is to meet the increasing demand for nature experiences and at the same time create digital communication of regional and local educational content on nature and culture

Expansion of the Möhnesee Water and Forest Landscape Information Center

The Möhnesee Landscape Information Center, which is located in the listed Günne Mill, is to be expanded into a nationally significant, attractive and inclusive experience and information center using sustainable construction methods.

Boundless - sustainable management of tourism infrastructure

The cross-regional project with the Bergisches Land Nature Park is dedicated to the optimal management of tourism infrastructure for the long-term and, above all, comprehensive maintenance of the quality of tourism products and services. In addition, the development of a digital twin is intended to lay the foundation for the strategic further development of natural areas for recreational purposes.

Smart Wood - Digital world of experience in the Arnsberg Forest Nature Park

The Arnsberg Forest Nature Park project is about digitally supplementing existing tourism products such as hiking trails or nature experience stations in order to enhance them with additional digital offers and thus achieve an additional visitor guidance function.

Smart tourism laboratory

This project by Sauerland Tourism and the Siegerland-Wittgenstein Tourism Association aims to use the Rothaarsteig as an example to sustainably align tourism products and services through measures such as digitalization and to convey knowledge/information to holidaymakers. In this way, the mainstay of hiking tourism in both destinations is to be further developed into Germany's first sustainable and climate-resilient quality long-distance hiking trail.

Sauerland-Tourismus e.V. is also involved as an associated partner in the NRW-wide projects "Tourismus Data Initiative NRW" and "Nachhaltigkeitswerkstatt.NRW" of the NRW Tourism Association.

Contact for the press:
Rouven Soyka, Sauerland-Tourismus e. V.
Johannes-Hummel-Weg 1, 57392 Schmallenberg
Tel.: 02974-969830, e-mail: presse@sauerland.com