LEA TRAIL: AN EXAMPLE OF VALUING TOURISM RESOURCES AND SUSTAINABLE MOVILITY

By project SYSTOUR

Published on 26 April 2024

Spain

País Vasco

Lea Artibai County

About this good practice

The creation of the path has meant the enhancement of resources that have also served as a vehicle for the revitalisation of the area through tourism. New businesses have been created and it has also helped to distribute the flow of tourists through the region.
The Commonwealth of Lea Ibarra has been the driving force behind the product. With a small population, they have worked to achieve a sustainable tourist development that also allows for the recovery and enhancement of many elements of their heritage.
They have been beneficiaries of NEXT GENERATION aid to improve the infrastructures associated with the trail and give it more strength from a tourism point of view, with a plan for the recovery of natural spaces, energy efficiency, digitalisation and communication and business competitiveness: Some actions are the environmental restoration and creation of recreational areas, safety improvements to wooden walkways, design and implementation of a digitalisation plan, or project governance and monitoring.
The objectives are achieved through the joint work between the county administrations, the town councils and the Basque Government, which has worked to protect the territory. The historical trail has been integrated into a wider project to enhance its value, such as the Wine and Fish Route.
The main stakeholders are the citizens of the region themselves, who have been able to maintain their important natural and cultural heritage and enhance it for future generations.

Expert opinion

The initiative highlights the importance of an integrated trail approach in enhancing natural and cultural heritage while promoting sustainable tourism in Lea Ibarra, Spain. The project received European funding, including support from NextGenerationEU and ERDF, to improve infrastructure, restore natural spaces, enhance energy efficiency, and boost business competitiveness. Key outcomes include better distribution of tourist flows, increased economic activity, and preservation of heritage for future generations. The trail serves as a model for connecting farmers-and other stakeholders-and visitors through an integrated approach. This initiative provides valuable insights into creating similar integrated trails using European funding.

Arnault Morisson

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

2 people developing the project and managing the annual action plan (about 50.000€/year: promotion online and offline in next tourism markets). 50.000€/year to maintain the trail.
FEDER (5M€ to create the trail) and NEXT funds to develop the path and the interpretation centre. (1.000.000€ ).

Evidence of success

Distribution of flows from points of high tourist influx, connection across the valley, connection with other routes and contribution to the network of trails in the region, enhancement of heritage elements, such as the Industrial Landscape and its natural and cultural resources, creation of tourist product and economic activity, governance as it is a project developed between very small municipalities in the region, with a common spirit and with shared objectives. About 15.000 visitors/ year.

Potential for learning or transfer

Transferability and replicability: The process that has led a small community to bet on its economic development through the enhancement of its natural and cultural heritage. It is an example of environmental sustainability and diversification of tourisms flows.
The process was prior to the declaration as a cultural asset, then the protection of the heritage arrived after its value.
Improve visitor interaction and the tourist experience. Obtaining greater visitor satisfaction. Reinforce new motivations for visiting the region.
Increase the number of visitors to the region, without compromising the carrying capacity of the destination.
Distribute the flow of tourists throughout the region. Give an overview of the offer.
Deseasonalize demand. Through the launch of new products, routes and experiences, the aim is to increase visits throughout the year and link them to different motivations: gastronomic, naturalistic, sporting or cultural.