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Cairngorms ViSIT Forum 
28.03.07 Paper 3 


Europarc Charter Parks Network Meeting 

Prepared by: 	Heather Galbraith 

Purpose: 	To update the Forum on plans for the Europarc Charter 
		Parks Network Meeting in Ballater in June 2007, and seek 
		input to the planned conference programme. 


Background 

1. 
The Europarc Charter Parks Network allows sharing of information, advice 
and best practice amongst the 36 Protected Areas across Europe which have 
been accredited with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in 
Protected Areas. The annual Charter Parks Network meeting will be held in 
the Cairngorms National Park in June 2007. This gives us a valuable 
opportunity to showcase sustainable tourism work in the Cairngorms, as well 
as networking with representatives of other Protected Areas, many of whom 
we can learn from. 


Programme and Arrangements 

2. 
The event will be held primarily at Hilton Craigendarroch Hotel, with 
accommodation overspill to other hotels / guesthouses in Ballater, and will run 
from the evening of Tuesday 12th June until lunchtime on Friday 15th June. 
Around 80 delegates are expected in total. 

3. 
A draft outline programme for the event is detailed below: 

Tuesday 12th June 

Afternoon: Delegates transfer from Aberdeen 
Evening: Informal Networking Evening 

Wednesday 13th June 

Morning: Meeting: Welcome; Best Practice Examples 
Afternoon: Meeting: Workshop sessions; Section Meetings 
Evening: Free evening for delegates 

Thursday 14th June 

Day: Familiarisation trips. Potential themes: Cultural 
heritage; A Park for All; Activity Tourism 
Evening: Networking Event - Ceilidh 

Friday 15th June 

Morning: Meeting: Charter Part II; Report back from workshops; 
Summing Up. 
Afternoon: Delegates Transfer back to Aberdeen 


4. 
In addition to the meeting sessions, all participating areas have the 
opportunity to contribute to a display, the ‘Boulevard of Experiences’. They 
can display information, ask for advice or offer expertise on particular issues. 
ViSIT Forum Input 

5. 
Members of the ViSIT Forum are very welcome to attend any part of the 
meeting, and are encouraged to come along to networking evenings. We are 
keen to promote the message that the European Charter in the Cairngorms is 
not delivered by the CNPA, but rather by all stakeholders working in 
partnership, in particular those delivering tourism services on the ground. 

6. 
Any suggestions for familiarisation trip destinations are welcome. We are 
looking in particular for places and projects that could showcase a truly 
innovative approach to sustainable tourism issues. Likewise any 
contributions to the ‘Boulevard of Experiences’ are welcome. 

7. 
Funding for the event will largely be met by the CNPA, however contributions 
from partner organisations are sought for elements of the programme, in 
particular the networking evenings and transport for the event. 


Cairngorms National Park Authority 
March 2007