Sustainable holidays in the Alps

As it happens, in the Alps the beauty of the scenery goes hand in hand with the natural richness and fragility of the environment. The goal of the WWF European Alpine Programme is to help conserve the most important natural areas in the Alps.

In this regard the promotion of sustainable tourism is an important measure to help preserve the very beauty we seek during our holiday escursions. Gîtes Panda (Panda holiday farms) were set up in 1994 by WWF France, Fédération des Parcs Francais, and Gîtes Rureaux. The concept has since spread to Italy, where Fattorie del Panda have become to dot the landscape offering sustainable stays to responsible tourists.

WWF Italy and WWF France intend to export this concept to the other Alpine countries, especially to ecologically important or sensitive areas: an idea the WWF European Alpine Programme strongly supports.
This will, in turn, give tourists the possibility of visiting the most outstanding areas in the Alps, whilst promoting sustainable tourism in the Alps.

There are a number of important features which characterize 'Panda Holiday Farms': they are usually situated in, or adjacent to, a protected area (whether a regional or natural park, or Natura 2000 site) and received the 'Panda' logo because they promote the protection, regeneration and knowledge of the surrounding environment. Many Panda Holiday Farms are also education centres: they organize environmental activities for schools, establish nature trails around their area and promote the use of sustainbale energies and correct waste managment.

To learn more about Panda holiday farms visit the French http://www.gites-panda.fr/ and Italian http://www.fattoriedelpanda.net/ websites