Slow tourism is attracting more and more travellers looking for meaning, nature and authenticity. Slow life, slow food, slow travel… but what exactly lies behind this growing trend?
At a time when more and more travellers want to slow down, enjoy authentic experiences and reduce their impact on the environment, slow tourism offers a different way of travelling. In this article, we explain what slow tourism is, why our region is particularly well suited to this form of sustainable tourism and how the Beauraing Tourist Office promotes the values associated with this travel philosophy. Finally, we will explore how you can experience slow tourism here in Beauraing.
Origin of Slow Tourism
According to the Canadian travel agency Passion Terre, slow tourism emerged in the early 2000s. The concept first gained popularity in France before gradually spreading to Belgium and Wallonia. It is directly inspired by the slow food movement, which was founded in 1986 as a response to the rise of fast food.
The slow food movement promotes values such as supporting local consumption, choosing seasonal products, ensuring fair compensation for producers and respecting natural resources.
Applied to tourism, these values encourage a different way of travelling: taking your time, favouring quality over quantity, discovering a destination in depth, meeting local people and reducing the negative impacts of mass tourism as much as possible.
A clear and precise definition
In our opinion, the best definition is the one proposed by slow-tourism-lab slow-tourisme-lab, which is :
Slow tourism is more than a form of tourism, it is a way of life practiced by the traveller.
Slow Tourisme Lab
Slow tourism is the art of travelling while taking one’s time, of fully immersing oneself in the nature that surrounds us and in the richness of our heritage. It is the art of meeting people, savouring culinary delights, while respecting the territory and its inhabitants.
How to practice Slow tourism in Beauraing
In particular, how is it possible to practice this kind of tourism in the Beauraing area?
1. Prioritizing soft mobility
Beauraing is easy to reach by train thanks to the Belgian railway network (SNCB/NMBS). Once here, a wide range of signposted walking trails invites you to explore the area on foot, through charming villages, rural landscapes and vast forested areas.
The Beauraing Tourist Office can also recommend numerous hiking trails and cycling routes. We are certified with the “Bikes welcome‘ label and offer several services for cyclists, including a water point, practical information, repair kits and personalised advice.
🌿 Do You Know the Carbon Footprint of Your Journey?
Transport often represents the largest share of a holiday’s carbon footprint. Before visiting Beauraing, we invite you to estimate the impact of your journey and discover more sustainable travel alternatives.
Calculate the carbon footprint of my trip
2. By respecting the environment
The Tourist Office and tourism operators across the Famenne-Ardenne region encourage visitors to follow good practices that help preserve the area’s natural wealth.
You can also take part in our guided nature walks and discover the treasures of the UNESCO Global Geopark Famenne-Ardenne, our nature reserves, geosites and remarkable landscapes through guided tours, roadbooks and numerous discovery itineraries.
3. By taking part in local experiences
Slow tourism is also about taking the time to meet local people and experience the rhythm of the region. Join our local events, including markets, flea markets, village festivals, traditional bonfires and other celebrations that keep our local traditions alive.
You can also discover Beauraing in a fun and original way through our Escape in the City experience, an activity that is perfect for families and kids.
4. By enjoying our local products
low tourism also starts on your plate. Take advantage of your stay to meet our local producers, artisans and farmers. You will discover authentic know-how and products that tell the story of our region.
To learn more, watch our interviews and encounters with local producers on our YouTube channel.
5. By entering the Tourist Office:
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Visit us to:
- Meet our team and receive personalised advice on walks, visits and experiences tailored to your interests;
- Discover our furniture made from recycled materials;
- Explore our local and eco-friendly products.
Slow tourism in Beauraing is ultimately an invitation to slow down. To take the time to walk, observe, meet people, taste local flavours and discover an authentic destination in the heart of Wallonia.
- Resources :
https://passionterre.com/slow-tourisme/ - https://www.greentripper.org/fr
- https://www.slow-tourisme-lab.fr/
