#Rethink

ECOTOURISM AND SLOW TOURISM

Tourism is a driver of activity and employment in and around national parks. The National Park Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse contributes to tourism development in several ways:

• The creation of a dense and coherent visitor experience network to offer visitors a meaningful experience and enable tourism partners to develop a coherent and attractive offer, always with respect for ecosystems and residents.
• The promotion of ecotourism and slow tourism through events and training sessions aimed at tourism partners and tourism students.

Our partners: Maison du Tourisme Pays des Lacs, tourist offices, diverse local stakeholders such as nature guides and managers of guesthouses…

MOBILITY

Soft, shared and low-carbon mobility is an important ingredient for the future of the region, but it also represents a major challenge in a rural area where transport solutions are limited.

• A pilot project in partnership with the non-profit organisation ShiftModal aims to introduce shared velomobiles in order to help reduce reliance on personal cars.
• The National Park assists the municipalities in securing the shared use of the road network, with due consideration for soft transport modes (walking, cycling…).
• Initiatives are being taken to promote event-based carpooling in the municipalities of the National Park.
• Finally, negotiations and consultations are being carried out to optimize the public transport network to and between the National Park's entry gates.

Our partners: themunicipalities, TEC, ShiftModal...

RESEARCH AND MONITORING

Science and research are essential for developing the territory in harmony with its natural capital and human potential. To this end, various actions are being implemented:

• creation of a Scientific Council with an advisory role;
• implementation of socio-economic monitoring and ecological monitoring of the integral forest reserves and restored habitats;
• monitoring tourist numbers in order to adapt tourist offers and services to the capacity of the natural spaces;
• survey on perceptions of the core projects of the National Park;
• regional marketing survey on perceptions of the region, in order to better plan the development of future economic activities...
• ...

Our partners: Bureau économique de la Province de Namur, Département de l’Étude du milieu naturel et agricole, universities…

SOCIO-ECONOMY

In order to collectively evolve towards an exemplary transition territory, the National Park is committed to inspiring, encouraging, promoting, accelerating and facilitating virtuous and promising socio-economic initiatives.

• Information sessions for residents on economic opportunities related to the National Park.
• Highlighting investment opportunities in and around the National Park, particularly in ecotourism.
• Proposals for improvements to local taxation, ensuring that the municipalities benefit from regional growth while protecting residents' access to housing.
• Promotion and recognition of local products and services that meet a set of sustainability criteria, in line with the values and goals of the National Park, through the Étoiles du Parc National initiative. This initiative highlights local stakeholders offering quality products and services in the sectors such as accommodation and tourist attractions, gastronomy, crafts, agriculture, food production and processing.
• Reflections and proposals on circular economy...

Our partners: the municipalities, Parc naturel Viroin-Hermeton, local economic stakeholders...

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Our results

The National Park Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse is implementing a master plan, the first phase of which began in 2023 and will end in 2026. The results are reported annually.

Download the latest activity report