7/06/2019

WOSPHERE is presented as a virtual community where self-guided ecotourism experiences are shared, free of charge, highlighting natural resources through an attractive offering with quality content. The goal is to inform and raise awareness among those participating through the app, from a tourism and sustainability perspective. This innovative project, which has already taken the first steps toward its launch, focuses on incorporating new technologies and sustainable tourism into the service of nature conservation through a comprehensive, transformative, responsible, and zero-impact educational strategy.

The app is very easy to use. To experience WOSPHERE, a person must book a specific route and day of visit through the app, as well as select the number of visitors in their group. This is done with the goal of ensuring quality tourism without excessive tourist traffic, promoting environmental preservation and conservation. Unlike other apps, WOSPHERE incorporates augmented reality technology to facilitate route tracking and also includes additional information on various tourist attractions through photographs, audio recordings, and videos.

The work carried out by ACD Montaña Palentina in recent years has focused on building an environmental identity in the region, through a shared narrative, which will allow for the consolidation of a quality ecotourism and sustainable tourism offering. This approach is also inspired by the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism , which promotes specific actions to foster awareness and support for Protected Natural Areas, improve sustainable development and tourism management, and raise public awareness about the environment.

WOSPHERE has been selected to carry out one of the LEADER exchanges, included in the National Rural Network Action Plan , with the aim of promoting cooperation with other LAGs that have Protected Natural Areas in their territory and/or that have included sustainable tourism, ecotourism, or environmental education in their Local Development Strategy. The exchange has allowed LAG managers from several Autonomous Communities to experience WOSPHERE firsthand in the Parque de Las Tuerces , as well as future collaborating partners' understanding of the platform's operation and its technical and content needs. For a more practical approach, various initiatives launched in Murcia, León, and Asturias were also presented. The goal was to explore the similarities and differences between the various offerings and, in parallel, to integrate the various experiences into the global WOSPHERE community.

During the second day of the LEADER exchange, the advantages offered by the tool and areas for improvement were identified, primarily related to minor technical adjustments. Regarding content, work was done on the specific case presented by the Cuatro Valles LAG and its Las Fuentes del Omaña route in the Babia region, with the aim of outlining a common protocol for subscribing experiences to the platform. Other issues raised included the financial costs incurred by Local Action Groups, the involvement and investment required in the content creation phases, coordination with those responsible for Natural Areas, expanding the scope of action to include other entities such as the Natura 2000 Network or SPAs, and the expected feedback to ensure quality tourism.

Through these types of actions, the National Rural Network promotes the implementation of LEADER cooperation projects and supports the work of Local Action Groups, enabling the search for intelligent solutions to address current needs and future challenges.