23 Sep Vulkanland: Into the ‘Green Heart’ of Austria
Vulkanland landscape
From 27th June to 1st July the region of Vulkanland, Austria was visited by DiscOver55 assessment team.
The objective of the mission was to assess are potential offer for senior tourism and to exchange best practices finalised to tailoring of the senior tourism product. The specific aim was to collect data on tourism to get to know the destination, its tourism services and discuss with local service providers and relevant stakeholders to gather their opinions and instances. The mission was organised with the support of the local coordinator Gabriele Grandl from the partner Spirit of Regions.
Into the ‘Green Heart’ of Austria
Vulkanland is located in Styria, the ‘Green Heart’ of Austria with large forests throughout the province and inviting vineyards. Styrian Vulkanland is located about 65 km south-east of the city of Graz, it offers many activities and excursions to visitors such as hiking & biking, castles, high quality culinary manufactures and traditional local festivities. In the south the gentle hills of the vineyards offer a wide range of walks and wine taverns. Several amenities such as orchards where Styrian apples, elder and wine grow, Vulcano ham, pumpkins await, relaxed bathing and warm springs are available for tourists to enjoy. To then perhaps make a stop at a friendly Buschenschank, to taste the local wines and regional specialities, especially the homemade Styrian pumpkin seed oil.
TAT members visiting Kneipp path in Klöch
A number of companies of the area are gathered in a brand (created in 1999) to reinforce the local identity and the history of the entire community and being more easily recognized to the market in order to offer their specialties (wine, ham, cheese, tomatoes, chocolate, pumpkins and pumpkin seed oil) and to starting an hospitality network of excellence (farms, B&B, tavernas). The brand is defined and visible everywhere (also internationally known): on signs throughout the area, brochures, websites and on wine labels .
Vulkanland local specialities
Tourism in Vulkanland is mainly based on natural and cultural resources along the traces of the volcanoes that characterize the area as a region of health and vitality, such as: the thermal baths, the “thematic” hiking routes, gardens of life (organic food production) in the local the culinary and gastronomy museums and collections (48 in the area).
Vulkanland visit
For the purpose of DiscOver55, the mission took into consideration several attractions, divided into four categories: natural, cultural, events and others.
TAT members discovering Vulkanland landscapes
The team visited Feldbach and had an e-bike tour to Vulcano ham world for a guided tour and tasting. E-bike tour included visiting Gsellmanns Weltmaschine.
We also visited: Genusshotel in Riegersburg, Riegersburg walking over the Castel rock, Gölles vinegar and spirits and Zotter choco shop theatre having a guided tour and tasting, the accommodation Ferienhaus Zotter, the town of Klöch with a presentation of the thematic trails, the Klöch Vinothek (guided tour and tasting), the accommodation Kurbishof Gartner, the Herbst hotel, the Gleichenberger Hof – Villa Gleichenberg in Bad Gleichenberg, Kurhaus Bad Gleichenberg, Gleichenberger Bahn (traditional train service Feldbach), and a local Buschenschank named Leitgeb.
Vulcano Ham
The team had the opportunity to participate in a “MeisterKultur meeting” held the 29th June at the Herbst Hotel: participants where representing a network of local companies (410 local companies and 150 licenses) involved in an previous European project. Michael Fend, managing director of the Steirisches Vulkanland organization, has clearly presented the local development ”awareness process“ of the Region.
TAT discusses strengths and weaknesses of Vulkanland as senior tourism destination
During the focus group local stakeholders were asked to express their opinions about the following themes bearing in mind to have a look on senior tourism target: accessibility to people with limited mobility; transportation; language barriers; safety and healthcare; activities; commercial strategies. Vulkanland as destination presents high quality standard in accommodation and gastronomy.
Complete results and recommendations of the visit will be soon available to local stakeholders and tourist service providers during a capacity building event to be held between September and October to share the findings.