TOURISM PREPARATORY ACTION

More specific aims of EDEN are to:

– enhance visibility of the European tourist destinations

– create awareness of Europe’s tourist diversity and quality

– promoting all European countries and regions

– help de-congestion, combat seasonality, rebalance the tourist flows towards the non traditional destinations

– awarding sustainable forms of tourism

– create a platform for the exchange of good practices at European level, and

– promote networking between awarded destinations which could persuade other destinations to adopt sustainable tourist development models

The Commission has worked in close cooperation with the Member States for the implementation of EDEN.

The European Commission launched the first phase of the pilot project "European Destinations of Excellence" in 2006.

For the year 2006, the theme of the pilot project was related to rural tourism. The subtitle of the award for this specific year was “Best Emerging Rural Destinations” .

Eligible destinations were those which have implemented in any of the last 3 years initiatives that have contributed to the promotion of the local tourist offer through a better appreciation of the rural natural and cultural heritage. Moreover, each participating Country has outlined more specific criteria of eligibility.

Selections procedures were carried out at national level in the first semester of 2007 by the 9 Members States which joined this pilot project: Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia and Malta, plus 1 candidate country: Croatia.

The 10 winning destinations of excellence have been awarded in a European-level conference which took place at the Annual Forum on Tourism in Portugal in October 2007.

If you want to discover the 10 winning destinations, visit our dedicated page.

If you want to know more about how national administration organised the 2007 selection phases, follow me.



The European Commission launched the second phase of the pilot project "European Destinations of Excellence".

The theme of excellence for 2007 is "tourism and local intangible heritage".

Those destinations which have developed a new tourism offer based on the appreciation of their specific local intangible heritage will have the possibility to compete at national level and be selected as 2007 destination of excellence.


18 Member States and 2 candidate countries are participating in the project. The national competitions, open to all eligible destinations according to the selection criteria chosen by the National Administrations in charge of tourism, will take place in the first half of 2008. It is expected that the winning destinations are selected in June 2008.

If you wish to have more information about national selection procedures in your country (selection criteria, application forms, etc), you can get in touch with your national contact point:

MEMORY IN VIETNAM

Things to remember


It's in your best interests not to drink the tap water, especially after flooding!
Avoid cyclo ride after dark.
Dress modestly and appropriately when visiting local dwellings and religious sites, etc.
Leave your valuables behind before a night out on the town, or going to the beach.
When crossing the road, especially in Ho Chi Minh city, always keep looking to the left and right and walk slowly!
Do not offer money directly to minority people - instead donate to a local charity or offer a small gift, such as pens.
Try at least once the delicious, local street food.
Always ask permission first before taking photographs, especially in minority areas.


Things do not to miss


Sleeping out on deck on a boat in Halong Bay
Ordering custom-made clothes from the local tailor shop
Taking a slow cyclo ride through the French Quarter of old Saigon
Eating pho ga (chicken noodle soup) at a street side noodle stalls.
Watching the traditional water - puppet performance in Hanoi.
Experience the full moon festivities in the ancient town of Hoi An.
Drinking rice-wine in the minority villages of the north
Taking a boat along Hue's Huong (Perfume) River, visiting the Royal Mausoleums.
Overnight in a homestay in the Mekong Delta's riverside orchards.
Bartering for a bargain at Saigon's largest market, Ben Thanh Market
Taking a stroll through Hanoi's Old Quarters.