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GREEN BOAT
Published on 29 April 2019
Greece
Dytiki Makedonia
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The Prespes Lakes area contains the highest degree of species biodiversity in a corresponding surface area in Europe.
Such being the case, the organization of trips around the Prespes Lakes area using solar powered boats could be utilized as an effective tool for increasing attractiveness of the area of interest, aiming at promoting different aspects of the cultural and natural heritage, demonstrating at the same time in real life the endless potentials and advantages of solar power. In this way, it would subsequently contribute to a high increase of the Prespes Lakes area popularity both in the local and foreign touristic market.
The 2 border Municipalities involved in the project have developed during the past few years close collaboration in order to create conditions for joint actions concerning preservation and promotion of the natural & cultural heritage of the area, protection of the environment, improvement of the tourism product of the Prespes Lakes.
The project aimed to keep a balance among the environmental, economic, & socio-cultural aspects of tourism development in the area, in order to guarantee long-term benefits to the recipient cross-border communities of Greece and Albania.
The main tangible project output was the supply & operation of 2 Solar Powered Boats in the Greek side of the lake and 1 in the Albanian side. A joint action plan for Solar Boats Trips Promotion & Prespes Lakes Area tourism growth was also developed by the 2 partner municipalities.
Such being the case, the organization of trips around the Prespes Lakes area using solar powered boats could be utilized as an effective tool for increasing attractiveness of the area of interest, aiming at promoting different aspects of the cultural and natural heritage, demonstrating at the same time in real life the endless potentials and advantages of solar power. In this way, it would subsequently contribute to a high increase of the Prespes Lakes area popularity both in the local and foreign touristic market.
The 2 border Municipalities involved in the project have developed during the past few years close collaboration in order to create conditions for joint actions concerning preservation and promotion of the natural & cultural heritage of the area, protection of the environment, improvement of the tourism product of the Prespes Lakes.
The project aimed to keep a balance among the environmental, economic, & socio-cultural aspects of tourism development in the area, in order to guarantee long-term benefits to the recipient cross-border communities of Greece and Albania.
The main tangible project output was the supply & operation of 2 Solar Powered Boats in the Greek side of the lake and 1 in the Albanian side. A joint action plan for Solar Boats Trips Promotion & Prespes Lakes Area tourism growth was also developed by the 2 partner municipalities.
Resources needed
For the development and implementation of the project activities in the Greek side of the borders, the amount of funding reached the 267.876,27€
In terms of human resources involved:
- around 15 people were professionally involved in the project
- two captains for the boats were also hired
In terms of human resources involved:
- around 15 people were professionally involved in the project
- two captains for the boats were also hired
Evidence of success
The GREEN BOAT Project enhanced the attractiveness of the the Greek-Albanian cross-border area in the most environmentally friendly and sustainable way. In terms of facts and numbers, since 2013:
- these were the first solar boats used in Greek lakes
- more than 10 schools per year use the solar boat during their visit in the area
- more than 1500 people per year mostly pupils, students, disabled people and official invitees in cultural events held at Agios Achilleios use the solar boats
- these were the first solar boats used in Greek lakes
- more than 10 schools per year use the solar boat during their visit in the area
- more than 1500 people per year mostly pupils, students, disabled people and official invitees in cultural events held at Agios Achilleios use the solar boats
Potential for learning or transfer
The GREEN BOAT Project enhanced the attractiveness of Prespas Lakes in the most environmentally friendly and sustainable way, engaging at the same time the border local communities in a joint oint action plan for Solar Boats Trips Promotion & Prespes Lakes Area tourism growth.
The advantages of the use of solar powered boats can be summarized as follows:
- Low maintenance and low running cost
- Space-saving installation
- Environmentally friendly: it's quiet and it’s clean.
- Electric boating gets you get closer to the wildlife: there's no need to shout over the engine noise and you can hear someone falling in. It’s also a great way to enjoy the inland waterways.
- Facilitate the accessibility and the transferability of people with physical disabilities in the lakes and the islet of Agios Achileios.
GREEN BOAT project could be considered a transferrable practice for small lake communities in favor of sustainable tourism development with respect to the nature.
The advantages of the use of solar powered boats can be summarized as follows:
- Low maintenance and low running cost
- Space-saving installation
- Environmentally friendly: it's quiet and it’s clean.
- Electric boating gets you get closer to the wildlife: there's no need to shout over the engine noise and you can hear someone falling in. It’s also a great way to enjoy the inland waterways.
- Facilitate the accessibility and the transferability of people with physical disabilities in the lakes and the islet of Agios Achileios.
GREEN BOAT project could be considered a transferrable practice for small lake communities in favor of sustainable tourism development with respect to the nature.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Municipality of Prespes
Greece
Dytiki Makedonia
Contact
External expert in charge for technical assistance