TASTE - Rural development through Experiential trekking

TASTE was triggered by the constant growth of different types of niche tourism in recent years, namely adventure tourism, slow tourism, food and wine tourism, experiential tourism and the need to contribute to the sustainable development of European rural areas. Such activities can represent a valuable tool for encouraging the local communities and in turn tourists to undertake health-enhancing activities such as trekking. In this regard, the commitment of associations involved in outdoor activities can be a way to promote rural areas and attract more people as the local promotion through the experiences that a region naturally expresses can be an effective and low-cost tool. TASTE aims to build the capacity of local communities and stakeholders needed to promote their cultural/natural heritage through sustainable offerings while encouraging enthusiasts in taking part in outdoor sports. The focus will be on experiential trekking and rural development strategies. TASTE is translated into more specific steps aimed to: - design a Guide for the creation of thematic routes through health-enhancing outdoor activities (trekking) - organize workshops on the design of thematic routes based on hiking trails, allowing participants to contribute to the promotion of natural/cultural heritage also through the development of attractive tourism offers - identify routes that lead through sites of cultural/natural interest and gather them in a Collection - facilitate cross-cultural encounters of organizations’ participants through online and on-site exchange for the promotion of healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle through sport - build a wider European network around the issues of route design and outdoor activities in relation to sustainable tourism - define recommendations on the role of sustainable tourism as a tool to safeguard the development of rural areas - realize an experimental use case on food and wine routes and outdoor sports - develop skills of adult staff volunteers.