On Thursday, the annual presentation of the calendars, informational booklets, and planned activities for 2025 in the Ligurian Parks took place. This event provided a comprehensive overview of Liguria’s natural beauty, captured in the calendar images, while also marking a significant achievement: the inclusion of the Beigua Park and the Alpi Liguri Park in the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST). This certification, promoted by the Europarc Federation, acknowledges sustainable tourism management aimed at preserving the natural and cultural heritage of protected areas. During the event, the progress of the Antola Park towards this recognition was also highlighted. The Cinque Terre National Park is also a participant in the ECST.
Alessandro Piana, Vice President of the Liguria Region and assessor with a mandate for Parks, emphasized that “the presentation of the Parks’ calendars has become an indispensable year-end tradition, serving as a valuable occasion to review the initiatives promoted in 2024 and assess the goals for the coming year.” He further noted that “the prestigious certification obtained once again highlights how our region has successfully enhanced its environmental heritage.” For 2025, the aim is to continue efforts to improve Liguria’s performance in the fields of sustainability and natural heritage conservation. Piana concluded by stating that “the regional parks play a crucial role in rediscovering the territory and its traditions: an essential aspect, especially in our hinterland, to improve the quality of life for residents and attract sustainable, conscientious tourism.”
Roberto Costa, president of Federparchi Liguria, stated that the past year saw agencies focusing on crucial themes such as trail networks, environmental education, and the promotion of local traditional products. He emphasized the significance of projects aimed at securing the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, a goal towards which all parks are progressing at various stages. Costa announced that “the 2025 activities will revolve around the 30th anniversary of the law establishing regional parks, marked by cultural initiatives, events, and projects.” Among these are the “Parks Honey” competition and a national conference to discuss the evolution of protected areas over the past 30 years. In 2025, a sustainable mobility project will also commence, launched by Federparchi and developed by the Liguria Region, known as the Liguria Parks Cycle Route: a 650 km staged ride through the region’s most beautiful landscapes, highlighting natural environments, historic villages, and quality local products.
