The UNESCO Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve has been awarded the coveted title of "Quality Region Wanderbares Deutschland" by the German Hiking Association. This award was presented today, Wednesday, at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf.
At the ceremony in Hall 7, Thomas Gemke, Vice President of the German Hiking Association, presented the certificate to District Administrator Frank John, Chairman of Saarpfalz-Touristik and the Biosphere Association, Wolfgang Henn, Managing Director of Saarpfalz-Touristik, and Torsten Czech, Head of Sustainable Development and Mobility at Saarpfalz-Kreis.
This award applies to the entire region of the Bliesgau biosphere reserve and the Saarpfalz district and is an important seal of quality for sustainable tourism. Visitors can now experience nature up close on 94 carefully maintained hiking trails. Particularly noteworthy is the 108-kilometre Bliessteig trail, which has been awarded the title "Leading Quality Trail - Best of Europe", as well as the numerous circular and long-distance hiking trails, 14 of which stand out as quality routes.
"This award is a proud advertisement for our region and strengthens sustainable tourism locally."
emphasised District Administrator Frank John at the ceremony.
"Thanks to the commitment of the teams at Saarpfalz-Touristik and the Sustainable Development department, we have developed the region into a first-class hiking destination."
Over the past eight years, those responsible have worked intensively to expand and improve the hiking trail network. They have been supported by volunteers who have taken on trail sponsorships. A well-developed, well-signposted network of trails and the online tour portal "Bliesgau-Pfadfinder" offer guests orientation and inspiration.
Particular attention was paid to coordination with forest owners and landowners as well as the professionalisation of trail management. Under the leadership of Maurice Eickhoff and the full-time trail managers Marion Gölzer and Thomas Menges, a sustainable and high-quality hiking experience was ensured.
"With professionalisation, we want to offer our guests an unforgettable hiking experience."
explains Torsten Czech.
Wolfgang Henn is delighted:
"With the Wanderbares Deutschland quality region award, we have moved up into the top league of hiking regions. The label strengthens our position as an attractive tourist destination in Germany."
What does the award mean?
Only nine regions in Germany have been awarded the "Quality Region Wanderbares Deutschland" certificate. Since 2017, those responsible at Saarpfalz-Touristik and the Sustainable Development Control Centre have implemented numerous improvements - from infrastructure and service quality to digital services such as the "Bliesgau-Pfadfinder" app, which can be used to conveniently plan tours. There is also a compact hiking guide.
Criteria for a quality region
According to the German Hiking Association, such a region is characterised by the following features, among others:
- High-quality hiking trails in a natural, varied landscape
- At least five days of varied hiking holidays
- Perception as an independent, self-contained region
- Professional marketing and
- support for hiking among the local population.
The preparatory hiking concept, including the mapping of existing trails and the new planning of the entire hiking trail network, was funded by the LEADER programme of the European Union and Saarland with a total of 84,567 euros. A total of around 500,000 euros was invested in infrastructure measures such as hiking trail signage and hiking boards, 95 per cent of which was subsidised by the Saarland Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digital and Energy. Further information on the "Wanderbares Deutschland" quality region certificate can be found at https://www.wanderbares-deutschland.de/regionen/qualitaetsregionen
Further information on hiking and the Wanderbares Deutschland quality region:
Saarpfalz-Touristik, Paradeplatz 4, 66440 Blieskastel
Tel.: 0 68 41 - 104 71 74; Email: [email protected].
Website: www.saarpfalz-touristik.de