VIVA, an opportunity
for sustainable tourism

The Autonomous Region of Valle d’Aosta has initiated a project co-financed by the European Union, the State and the Region, within the context of the 2007/2013 Regional Operational Competitivity Programme, wishing to promote the touristic enhancement and awareness of sites of particular naturalistic worth.
VIVA, Valle d'Aosta unica per natura (Valle d’Aosta unique by nature), thus originates, a complex project which wants to represent a new way to protect natural environments and stimulate awareness of nature through guided fruition, offering the local communities the opportunity for socio-economic development.

The project’s motivations
Anatural heritage of rare beauty, enclosed within protected areas, consisting of alpine botanical gardens and sites belonging to the European ecological network of Natura 2000. Except for the Gran Paradiso, very few people know these sites and the reasons for which they are protected.

Objectives
To create a strong unified image of the Valle d’Aosta’s nature product in order to offset its current fragmented state; to develop synergies with other sectors such as agriculture and culture, but also and foremost, to promote a fruition based on eco-sustainable principles while respecting the protection requirements of these areas.

Initiatives
VIVA is being developed over a three-year period, from 2011 to 2013; amongst the varied initiatives, we highlight the following:
- construction of the “Valle d’Aosta Nature System”: synergies with local operators and the land; integrated “tourism packages” according to the demand; direct interventions for the setting-up of trails;
- promotion of the “Valle d’Aosta Nature System”;
- creation of the “Biodiversity Observatory”; updating of knowledge in the field of nature; creation of data banks; sharing of information and data;
- information and awareness through schools, professional operators and tourists.