Val Gardena receives GSTC certificate for sustainable tourism

Val Gardena receives GSTC certificate for sustainable tourism

Val Gardena’s commitment to sustainability has now been confirmed by the GSTC certification (Global Sustainable Tourism Council).

Val Gardena is a popular holiday destination in the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has now obtained a certificate, recognised all over the world, confirming its sustainable tourism efforts. This means it commits to applying the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards. Obtaining this certification is by no means a final result, rather the official start of a broader project that focuses on environmental protection, social responsibility, and hospitality for an increasingly sustainable tourism.

In 2020, a working group consisting of different stakeholders, including professional associations and members of Val Gardena’s three municipalities, was founded under the motto “Respect the Dolomites”. Its aim was to raise awareness about sustainability among the valley’s guests and residents through events and various initiatives. It includes sporting events such as the Sellaronda Bike Day, the valorisation of local crafts with the ‘Made in – DOLOMITES Val Gardena – with LOVE’ label, waste management, spring water with the ‘Ega dla Dolomites’ project, the protection of mountain pastures, paths and grazing livestock, the use of clean energy from hydroelectric sources, and, in general, mobility, with the Val Gardena Mobile Card, charging stations for electric vehicles and the use of e-bikes.

To highlight this commitment, Val Gardena/Gröden started following the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards, and its choice was rewarded with the certification from 08.03.2023.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is an organisation founded in 2007 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to promote sustainability and social responsibility in tourism. The certificate is awarded in Italy by Vireo, the only GSTC- accredited body in Italy. The audit is carried out based on specific methods, procedures and timeframes, which guarantees the entire system’s unbiased approach and trustworthiness. During the process, Vireo’s auditors visited and talked with various institutions and companies to assess whether the required criteria were met.

In addition to the criteria required by GSTC for tourist destinations, Val Gardena aims to reach tangible goals by 2026. These include creating a mobility centre which will develop projects for car-free and accessible connections; reducing traffic on mountain passes (Gardena Pass and Sella Pass) by 20%; expanding bicycle paths on the mountain passes by 20%; increasing arrival on public transport by 10 to 15%; double e-charging stations; expanding renewable energy sources for businesses by 25%; reducing printed material and use of plastic by 20%.
The formation of verifiable climate concepts and their implementation is the mission.

Moreover, Val Gardena is working with the province of South Tyrol on the “Klimaland Südtirol” and the “KlimaPlan Energie – Südtirol 2050” initiatives to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve the Paris Agreement climate goals. South Tyrol’s largest source of CO2 emissions come from transport: more than 40% of fossil fuel emissions, mostly caused by private cars, which in turn results in heavy traffic, especially at certain times of the year.

The Val Gardena Mobility Centre was founded to tackle this matter, and its primary task is to solve traffic issues. Public transport will become the tool used to monitor and control traffic, while leveraging bus and lift connections will create alternatives to private transport.
Let’s promote the “Stay longer, dive deeper” long-term holiday concept for our guests. Each extra, car-free day reduces arrival and departure traffic, thus markedly reducing emissions.

Other sustainable projects will, among other things, also ensure adequate mobility solutions should the valley host the 2029 World Ski Championships.

 For further information visit https://www.valgardena.it/en/respect-the-dolomites/

 -ENDS-

UK PR Contact Vanessa Fisher 07957 618525 vanessa@vanessafisher.com

CHEF’S TABLE: SUINSOM IN VAL GARDENA GAINS MICHELIN STAR

CHEF’S TABLE: SUINSOM IN VAL GARDENA GAINS MICHELIN STAR

CHEF’S TABLE: SUINSOM IN VAL GARDENA GAINS MICHELIN STAR

Suinsom located at the Hotel Tyrol in Selva has become the third hot spot in Val Gardena to be awarded a Michelin star, the highest accolade within gastronomy.

Michelin starred young chef Alessandro Martellini operates tirelessly to create a delicate menu to spark the senses, dominated by the spirit of the mountains in two beautiful ‘stuben’, where 200-year-old wood lines the panelled dining rooms inside the Hotel Tyrol. Suinsom, meaning ‘at the summit’ offers gourmet cuisine combining local ingredients with a modern twist.

Val Gardena sits within the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the legendary Sellaronda – one of the best known ski circuits in the world – where ultra-modern lift facilities allow access to 500km of ski slopes, 115km of cross country ski trails and 30km of winter hiking paths. Together the three villages of Ortisei (1,236m), Saint Cristina (1,428m) and Selva Val Gardena (1,563m) create a vast snow bowl.

Memorable dining experiences are on offer with 65 mountain lodges scattered across the slopes of Val Gardena. Val Gardena promises a gastronomic adventure ranging from traditional alpine to highly sophisticated plates, with a south Tyrolean influence. From gourmet lunch, afternoon tea, apres ski, special evening ‘hutte’ meals, there is a hut to suit!

 

TASTE SENSATIONS

Feast in one of Val Gardena’s many unforgettable mountain lodges and restaurants, boasting some of the most sought after alpine cuisine in the world, five of which feature in the famous Michelin Guide:

 NEW FOR 22 Suinsom at the Hotel Tyrol, Selva* Michelin starred

Young chef Alessandro Martellini operates tirelessly to create a delicate menu to spark the senses, dominated by the spirit of the mountains. https://www.tyrolhotel.it/en/suinsom.htm

 Le Stuben, Alpenroyal Gourmet * Michelin starred

The skilful Mario Porcelli from Puglia successfully combines nostalgic flavours from his native region with distinct Alpine influences, using sophisticated techniques. https://www.alpenroyal.com/en/hotel-restaurant-le-stuben.asp

 Anna Stuben, Ortisei * Michelin starred

Reimund Brunner creates sophisticated plates with a firm focus on local Alpine produce. https://www.relaischateaux.com/gb/italy/restaurant/anna-stuben-alto-adige-ortisei-val-gardena-dolomiti

 Nives Michelin recommended

A mountain style dining room with an unforgettable gastronomic experience, where modern fare is served with regional ingredients. https://www.hotel-nives.com/en/restaurants.asp

 Chalet Gerard – Michelin recommended

Overlooking the Sella mountains and Sassolungo peak, this is the perfect piste-side location to while away the hours, serving high-class traditional cuisine. Doubling as a guesthouse, this chalet boasts a sauna, fitness studio and hot tub.https://www.chalet-gerard.com/en/

 ENDS:

Photo link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/c1i6onxsipylc2ujry9ld/h?dl=0&rlkey=oazaf3w520ln0r32x7hlyh9b6

  1. Dolomites Val Gardena

 For further information, images and press visits please contact: Vanessa Fisher PR, 07957 618525 vanessa@vanessafisher.com

The Return of the Sudtirol Gardenissma

The Return of the Sudtirol Gardenissma

February 2022

Press Release

The Return of the Sudtirol Gardenissma

Südtirol Gardenissima, the most demanding Giant Slalom in the world, is back! It returns to the slopes along with the Gardenissima Kids on 2nd and 3rd April 2022

Get ready for the Südtirol Gardenissima Weekend and its two amazing events! The first is dedicated to ski enthusiasts, FIS athletes, and our beloved Ski Legends from the past. The second event was created for the rising stars of the future.

Vanessa Fisher PR

The weekend kicks off on Saturday, 2 April 2022 with the longest Giant Slalom in the world – the Südtirol Gardenissima – and continues on Sunday, 3 April 2022 with the Südtirol Gardenissima KIDS dedicated to younger athletes. Both events take place against the breathtaking backdrop of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Südtirol Gardenissima, now in its 24th edition, is a 6-km slalom starting from Monte Seceda and ending at the Col Raiser cable car valley station.

Athletes kick off two at a time within their category. The first kilometre is a parallel slalom which then turns into a giant slalom. The race starts at 7.30 am. Representatives of a National Team and those skiers who competed in the European Cup or the South American Cup in the 2020/21 or 2021/22 season will start individually, one every 30 seconds, on track A.

The men’s category features: National Team skiers or those skiers who competed in the European Cup in the 2020/21 or 2021/22, Junior, Seniors, master A, master B, and master C. The women’s category features: National Team skiers or those skiers who competed in the European Cup in the 2020/21 or 2021/22, Junior, Seniors, and master D. Skiers without FISI or FIS points have dedicated categories.

To register, skiers must pay their registration fee and send their medical certificate of sound health. Italian participants must have a FISI card. Registrations will close once 680 skiers have signed up. Participants will receive a 50% discount on their Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi ski pass for one, two, or three days (Friday 1 April, Saturday 2 April, Sunday 3 April). When registered, skiers can inspect the slope (only once and only upon presenting their race bib) but cannot ski through the gates. The Col Raiser and Seceda cable cars will open at 6 am.

Sunday 3 April and the Südtirol Gardenissima Kids will be dedicated to our younger skiers. The event starts at 9 am and the skiers of the future will tackle a somewhat demanding slalom on a breathtaking 2 km run from Monte Seceda to the Fermeda cable car valley station.

Vanessa Fisher PR

Like parallel slalom, there will be two starting gates. At the start, they will compete on a giant parallel slalom route which then becomes a single giant slalom route.

The categories are Superbaby, Baby, Cuccioli, and Ragazzi.

The young skiers will receive amazing prizes during the exciting Südtirol Gardenissima Kids official award ceremony.

To register, visit  www.gardenissima.eu

The event will comply with the existing Covid 19 regulations.

 

DOLOMITES Val Gardena                                     

Tel.: (0039) 0471 77 77 21                          

Christina Demetz                                        

pr@valgardena.it                                          

www.valgardena.it