Funding decision received

Funding decision received

Tourist project "GRENZENLOS" can begin its work

Positive news for local tourism at the end of the year: the innovative project "GRENZENLOS - sustainable management of tourism infrastructure" has received the official funding decision from the Arnsberg district government and can begin its work. In addition to the Sauerland Rothaargebirge Nature Park and Sauerland Tourism, the Sauerland Mountain Association, the Bergisches Land Nature Arena, the Bergisches Land Nature Park and the district of Siegen-Wittgenstein are also involved in the implementation as project partners.

"With 'GRENZENLOS', we are creating the basis for future-oriented and sustainable management of our tourism infrastructure. Through close cooperation between the partners and the use of innovative digital technologies, we can not only improve the quality of our offers, but also offer guests a modern and sustainable vacation experience," emphasizes Dr. Jürgen Fischbach, Managing Director of Sauerland Tourism. The focus is on the development of a region-wide management system that optimizes the administration of tourism infrastructures - unique for tourism in NRW. This should ensure a high quality of offers in the long term and form the basis for the strategic further development of natural areas for recreational purposes.

The project is scheduled to run for 36 months and comprises four central work packages:

• System development: development of a software solution that enables networked collaboration between full-time and voluntary staff and supports simple management of tourism infrastructures.
• Data collection: Creation of a digital twin of the tourism infrastructure. In two selected municipalities - one in Sauerland and one in Bergisches Land - the existing infrastructure will be fully recorded. In the rest of the project area, data collection will focus on key infrastructure points along important cycling and hiking trails.
• Training: Target group-specific training is to ensure that the system can be used across the board and is easy to understand for the various user groups.
• Market launch: Introduction of the system through information measures as well as continuous further development and transfer to other regions.

"The 'GRENZENLOS' project offers a forward-looking solution for sustainable tourism and helps to further strengthen the attractiveness of the regions involved," adds Bernd Fuhrmann, Chairman of the Sauerland Rothaargebirge Nature Park. "It combines technological innovation with a clear focus on sustainability, creating new opportunities to preserve and develop natural areas and infrastructure in the long term."

The project is funded by the "Erlebnis.NRW" call for projects, which aims to strengthen sustainable tourism as well as cultural and nature tourism in North Rhine-Westphalia. The aim is to improve the quality and sustainability of existing infrastructures, create new structures and integrate digital solutions and technical innovations. This will support sustainable tourism that simultaneously taps into new potential.

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