European Atlantic Geotourism RouteSupported by the Global Goeparks Network nine European Geoparks along with two aspiring Geoparks and the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro have been awarded funding by the EU Interreg Atlantic Area programme for a transnational economic, cultural and sustainable tourism development project.
The European Atlantic Geotourism Route
A new, awe-inspiring trail of magnificent destinations awaits you right along the epic expanse of the Atlantic frontier. It winds an intriguing transnational path from Ireland and the UK, to France, Portugal and Spain over to the Atlantic Islands of Lanzarote and down to the Azores. It links 12 dramatic landscapes that host vibrant communities, rich local cultures and unforgettable visitor experiences.
Discover and protect
The European Atlantic Geotourism Route guides you through diverse territories, countries, habitats, languages and cultures. These stunning destinations are linked together by one powerful mission – to provide the highest quality visitor experiences; helping to power vibrant local economies and cultural activities and, in so doing, protecting these breathtaking and unique natural landscapes.
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An ancient and contemporary story
Each destination tells a distinctive, dramatic and enthralling chapter of the story of life on the Atlantic frontier. The tale of how, from time’s dawn to present day – natural forces, landscape, people, culture and ways of life continue to interweave to give physical shape, meaning and mystery to these memorable regions. To illuminate and animate these geologically-rich and bio-diverse destinations for the curious, careful and discerning visitor.
It’s waiting for you
Today, in these wonder-filled places, rare and outstanding sustainable tourism offerings live in harmony with local farmers, craft workers, entrepreneurs, artists and artisan food producers, each strengthening the other. And now this European Atlantic Geotourism Route is yours to explore, to experience – and to never, ever forget.
The European Atlantic Geotourism Route has been created to support the development of Geotourism in a number of destinations in the European Atlantic Area. With funding provided by the EU Interreg Atlantic Area programme and support from the Global Geopark Network, nine European Geoparks along with two aspiring Geoparks and the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal are working together on this transnational economic, cultural and sustainable tourism development project.
The Atlantic Geoparks Project aims to promote and disseminate the geological and cultural heritage within the Atlantic Area as a basis for an economic development. The 30 month project which begun in July 2017 and aims to forge new tourism links along a defined Atlantic route through highlighting the common interests and heritage of the destinations along the route.
The project is funded through the Atlantic Area section of the European Regional Development Fund and the aim of the project is to strengthen the integration of tourism and natural heritage, reconciling tourism development with conservation of geology,biodiversity and cultural heritage in several territories in the EU including Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland and the UK.
The innovative aspect of the Project will be to advance transnational Geotourism along the western margin of Europe using UNESCO Global Geoparks and aspiring Geoparks as best practice models for regional and local sustainable development, including the development of a European Atlantic Geoparks Route which will be submitted as a candidate for a Cultural Route of the European Council.
Through a series of work packages the project will develop management toolkits, supports for aspiring Geoparks, a geodiversity conservation charter, geotourism monitoring system, an online presence with social networking, innovative ICT tools, and a community engagement programme.
The Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark assumes the role of communicating the work packages of the project.
Download the European Atlantic Geotourism Route application
Project partners:
The Atlantic Geoparks partnership is composed of 3 partners from Portugal, 2 from United Kingdom, 3 from Spain, 3 from Ireland and 1 from France. The partnership includes 9 Geoparks, 2 aspiring geoparks and a university all supported by the Global Geoparks Network.
INTERREG Atlantic Area is an European funding programme that promotes transnational cooperation among 36 Atlantic regions of five European countries. With a total budget of € 185M, being €140M of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), this programme co-finances cooperation projects in the fields of Innovation & Competitiveness, Resource Efficiency, Territorial Risks Management, Biodiversity and Natural & Cultural Assets.
The Atlantic Area covers the western part of Europe bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It comprises regions from the western part of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Portugal as well as the northern and south westernmost part of Spain and western France.
The Programme main objective is to strengthen the integrated territorial development and cooperation in the Atlantic area.
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