Certified Destination: Eggental, Italy

Certified by Green Destinations Sustainability Label South Tyrol

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By Johanna Kompatscher, Eggental Tourism

The Eggental Valley in South Tyrol, Italy, is located southeast of Bolzano and characterized by its impressive landscape and diverse recreational opportunities. With three municipalities and seven villages, it is not only rich in scenery but also culturally diverse. The breathtaking backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage sites Rosengarten and Latemar adorns the valley, marking them as outstanding features of the region and a gateway to the Dolomites.

The tourism offering in the Eggental is diverse, including 17 high quality hotels with 4 – 4*, providing guests with premier accommodations. Additionally, 140 small, family-run vacation farms and private renters shape the landscape of accommodations, constituting 65% of all available beds. In total, there are 5,000 guest beds in 217 accommodations, resulting in a density of 24 beds per square kilometer. In the year 2018-2019, the Eggental Valley recorded a total of 160,000 arrivals and 750,000 overnight stays. Approximately 45% of visitors were in the winter months, with the remaining 55% in the summer, highlighting the Eggental’s attractiveness as a year-round destination. Despite the diverse offerings and scenic beauty, the valley has preserved its charm, providing visitors with tranquility and ample space.

Covering a total area of 200 square kilometers, the Eggental Valley provides generous terrain for nature enthusiasts. In summer, hikers, climbers, and bikers are drawn to Rosengarten and Latemar. In winter, visitors can explore the two ski resorts, Carezza and Obereggen, while enjoying activities such as sledding, cross-country skiing, and winter hiking. The Eggental Valley also offers outstanding wellness options, with breathtaking mountain views from saunas. Visitors can witness the fascinating natural phenomenon of Enrosadira, where the mountains, especially the Rosengarten, glow in the warm evening light. For connoisseurs of cuisine and culinary delights, the numerous huts beneath the Rosengarten and Latemar not only offer excellent cuisine but are also architectural highlights.

Eggental has been certified by Green Destinations, a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, with the Sustainability Label South Tyrol and their GSTC-Recognized standard since 2022. As one of the few regions in Italy that is GSTC Certified, this emphasizes the drive and a crucial step in strengthening Eggental for the future. The “Eggental 2030” agenda reflects this vision, and various projects are in progress to realize it step by step.

A few examples to demonstrate Eggential’s sustainability journey:

• Eggental Green Team: The Eggental Green Team, consisting of representatives from municipalities, tourism organizations, and ski resorts, is a key element for sustainability in Eggental. The members address various sustainability issues. The sustainability officer of the Green Team is in close contact with the partner businesses, motivating and supporting them as an advisor on the path to sustainable development.
• Eggental 2030 Strategy: The Eggental 2023 strategy emphasizes multi-year destination management with a strong sustainability focus. The vision is for Eggental to become one of the most sustainable destinations in the South Tyrolean Dolomites by 2030, focusing on year-round natural mountain experiences, expertise in alpine sports, genuine hospitality, regional innovation networks, and economic success with high-quality products.
• Workshops: We are dedicated to instilling sustainability principles in businesses across our region through workshops and continuous education programs. Furthermore, the Tourism Cooperative Eggental provides three workshops tailored for businesses and member establishments, emphasizing a holistic approach to sustainability.
• Biodiversity Competition: Participants, including both individuals and accommodation providers, have the opportunity to have their gardens assessed for sustainability and receive valuable tips through the biodiversity competition.

We also strive to raise awareness among our guests and encourage them to make their vacation as sustainable as possible.

• It is a priority for us to raise awareness among our guests on-site. At every point of contact, whether in person, digitally, or in our advertising, we emphasize sustainability. We engage guests through various initiatives such as “Tips for a Conscious Holiday Experience,” “Experience Eggental Without a Car,” “Less Waste, More Nature,” and more.
• With the initiative “Travel by Train and Win,” we reward guests arriving by train. They can upload their ticket and accommodation details on our website for a chance to win one of 10 “Eggental Boxes” filled with local products and a two night stay. This initiative promotes sustainable travel, contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions and the preservation of the sensitive nature of South Tyrol.
• To protect our valuable World Heritage, public transportation in the Eggental has been expanded. Guests of the member establishments of the Eggental Tourism Associations exclusively receive the Guest Pass Eggental, providing them with free and unlimited access to public transportation in the Eggental and throughout South Tyrol. We emphasize the importance of guests using public transportation as much as possible to minimize environmental impact.

We constantly aim to explore more sustainable paths through various initiatives. Some examples include:

• Eggental Taste Local: We have launched an initiative that promotes collaboration between agriculture and tourism. Farmers from the Eggental region directly supply hotels and restaurants in the valley with vegetables, eggs, and other products. This helps boost the local economy while proving highly sustainable through short transport routes and environmentally friendly cultivation practices.
• CleanUp Days: Every year towards the end of summer, in conjunction annual World Clean Up Day, the SÜDTIROL CleanUP Days take place in areas including Eggental. The main focus of this initiative is collective waste collection, organized by the Patron association. Nature enthusiasts form small groups to remove litter from various locations, experiencing a communal outdoor adventure.
• Emission aware skiing area Carezza: The Carezza ski resort strongly opposes unnecessary energy consumption, in the interest of both the environment and numerous slope enthusiasts. After joining the “Turn to Zero” network in the fall of 2019, Carezza Dolomites annually measures and reduces its corporate footprint. Reduction measures are discussed and optimized collaboratively with employees.
• Conserving energy with regional biomass in Obereggen: Obereggen has been consistently embracing sustainability since 2007 by heating the entire village with regional biomass. A dedicated district heating system powered by wood chips, provides the village with warmth year-round, saving 500,000 liters of heating oil annually and minimizing environmentally harmful transports. The facility was environmentally designed, incorporating state-of-the-art smoke gas purification technology. Obereggen demonstrates active protection of its hiking, skiing, and vacation area.
• Star Village and Bee Learning Trail: Steinegg and Gummer are proudly holding the title of Europe’s first Star Village. With a proactive stance against light pollution, street lamps are switched off at night, replaced by eco-friendly lanterns that illuminate pathways with minimal ecological impact. Additionally, the renowned Bee Learning Trail highlights biodiversity, inviting visitors to explore and appreciate the intricate world of bees while fostering a deeper connection to nature’s delicate balance.