Sustainable Tourism
Creative Exchange is currently running a sustainable tourism project in Western Algarve.
The mountain town of Monchique is in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The community has dwindled from 9,000 to 6,000 In recent years as young people people find it hard to get work and move away.
There are few tourists in Monchique and none in the winter months. Some residents travel to local towns for work. Because of the economic crisis, work in those towns is also more difficult to find.
The area has a great deal to offer for the visitor interested in the natural environment. The location is stunning and offers opportunities to see rare flora and fauna, and engage in activities such as walking,canoeing,climbing and cycling.
Creative Exchange has received European funding from LEONARDO to help develop the skills of people in the labour market . They are using this opportunity to develop a sustainable rural tourism offer. The project runs for 13 weeks during the Autumn and Winter. 14 people between the ages of 18-45 were chosen to be part of the team . They all have quite different skills and backgrounds from a labourer to a marketing specialist .
They have two main work placements, in an activity company and in the guest house. in addition they are able to take up placements in the art gallery, a villa rental company, a biology field centre, the tourist information office, a nearby spa resort, a conservation charity and a small conference centre. Each person, invited by the president, spends a day in the council offices, and some have already developed their own roles in organisations that interest them such as working in the local football team and with the local arts group.
The team are all taking part in order to improve their working life. Some are looking to change direction in their career, some to gain more experience in their chosen field and some to gain more skills, they are all learning Portuguese and some are taking a qualification in customer service.
T
he team lives together in a typical country house and have soon become part of the life of the town. They are all very keen to work together with the local community to attract the kind of visitor to Monchique who will enhance the life of the area. They hope to make Monchique better known as a location for a relaxing holiday where people can benefit from and fully enjoy the environment and at the same time help to support the economy so that Monchique can maintain its individual quality of life.
Creative Exchange works in Partnership with DSC Regen Ltd. They are planning to run this and similar programmes in Europe during the coming year
Link to the showcase event 11 - 15 Dec
