1st European Ecotour
Dates: 28/03/2016 - 01/04/2016 Organisers: MILSET Europe, NSTF Place: Malta Number of participants: 40 Level: International Age limits: 18+ Language: English Fee: 150€ Contact address: Karl.Agius@milset.org Website: http://ecotourism.milset.org |
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Natural Science Tourism Programme / 1st European Ecotour – Maltese Islands
Introduction
Nature-based tourism and its associated forms of tourism are the fastest growing sector of tourism. This is because nowadays tourists seek to visit undisturbed, pristine areas that offer experiences beyond those offered by mass tourism. Ecotourism as a form of nature-based tourism is based on three main concepts:
- It takes place in a natural setting (in most cases protected areas);
- Involves an educational element;
- Improves the environmental aspect of the site in question and socioeconomic situation of the local population.
Although the Maltese Islands are small in size (area of 316 km2) the archipelago found in the centre of the Mediterranean is a hub of biodiversity. For instance the islands are very rich with respect to flora. In fact although their area is equivalent to 0.1% of the British Isles, they possess more or less the same number of flowering plants. Moreover the Maltese Islands (with an area equivalent to 0.08% of Germany) enjoy more or less half the number of species found in Germany. The islands are also home to several endemic species and other vulnerable species including avifauna.
Moreover the coast and marine environment surrounding the islands provides several landscapes and distinguished environments that serve as a major attraction for those that have a passion for the natural sciences.
Options
Participate as a group from one specific organisation (minimum of 10 students/youth) in the Natural Science Tourism Programme in the desired dates.
Participate as a delegation in the 1st European Ecotour – Maltese Islands in the established dates.
Age group
18+
Students/youth should have 18 years by the date of the event.
Group leaders / representatives from organisations are free to join.
Number of participants
Minimum number of participants: 10
Maximum number of participants: 40
Dates
In case of organisations with groups of 10-25 students/youth dates can be chosen from the following time periods. Whereas the duration can be flexible it is suggested to have a stay of at least 5 days (including arrival and departure day).
Date period to choose from:
- 1-8 November 2015
- 5-14 February 2016
- 24 March – 3 April 2016
- 13-22 May 2016
- 15 July – 28 August
- 16 – 25 September
In case of organisations sending a small delegation to participate in the 1st European Ecotour – Maltese Islands dates are Monday 28th March (arrival) – Friday 1st April (departure) [Easter holidays].
Registration period
For groups participating in the Natural Science Tourism Programme registration should take place 3 months ahead the desired dates.
In the case of the 1st European Ecotour event, the specified number of participants should be communicated with organisers by the 31st December 2015.
Expenses
Flights are to be covered by the participants. Participants are to arrive and depart from the Malta International Airport.
A registration fee of €150 is to be paid for every participant to cover part of the costs of the accommodation/food/ local traveling/excursions. Other finances will be provided by sponsors.
Accommodation
Accommodation will be in a hostel which opened in the Xrobb l-Ghagin Nature Park, Marsaxlokk run by the NGO NatureTrust (maximum capacity 30 people).
Another option will be the Youth Hostel of Agenzija Zghazagh, Marsaxlokk (maximum capacity 50 people).
Selection of site will depend on the number of participants.
Excursions
A selection of excursions from the list below will be chosen. In the case of the natural science tourism programmes the programme will be planned in conjunction with the relevant organisation taking into consideration the duration of the trip.
Malta
- Visit Maqluba doline (Natura 2000 site)
- Visit the Insect Museum
- Guided walk on the Geology, Flora and Fuana of Maghlaq area (Natura 2000 site)
- Visit Blue Grotto (coastal formation) (Natura 2000 site) by boat
- Fishing boat trip with a traditional fisherman
- Boat and guided visit to a Fish Farm
- Trekking and visit Xrobb l-Ghagin Nature Park
- Guided walk on bats at Ghar Hassan Cave
- Visit to the prehistoric cave and Musuem of Ghar Dalam (Palaeontological and ecological relevance) (Natura 2000 site)
- Visit at the Tuna Museum (past sustainable fishing practices)
- Bird Watching at Ghadira Nature Reserve (Natura 2000 site)
- Bird Watching at Simar Nature Reserve (Natura 2000 site)
- Visit San Anton Gardens
- Visit Argotti Botanical Gardens
- Visit Malta Falconry Centre
- Visit Natural History Museum
- Visit Malta National Aquarium
- Guided walk on geology at Dingli Cliffs
- Visit at Buskett forest
- Visit Salina Bird Park
- Trekking at Majjistral Park, home to various endemic (found only in the Maltese Islands) flora (over 18 species) and fauna (including endemic insects and molluscs)
- Visit Rdum tal-Madonna Cliffs, home to the endangered seabird Yelkouan Shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan) endemic to the Mediterranean basin – Malta holds 10% of its entire populations.
- Pembroke Garigue Heritage Park
- Is-Salini Salt Pans and visitor’s centre
Gozo
- Natural History Museum Victoria
- Marine Protected Area environmental education centre
- Trekking at Lunzjata Valley, home to the endemic fresh water crab
- Visit Salt Pans at Qbajjar
- Visit Sand dunes at Ramla Bay
- Overnight stay at a converted farmhouses optional
Comino (an ‘uninhabited’ protected island)
- Flora and Fuana guided tour including a visit to the Santa Maria Sand dune remnants
- Visit other heritage sites such as Santa Maria Tower, Santa Maria Battery and Annunciation Chapel
- Boat trip around the island visiting caves
- Camping at campsite optional
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