In transport research, a growing interest in leisure travel issues can be identified since the mid 1990s, but the wide range of travel patterns and requirements is still a major challenge both for researchers and practitioners. In this context, two main aspects are addressed. How can transport and tourism providers work together to develop and promote integrated, sustainable travel and tourism products and services? How can the different effects of travel and tourism products be measured in an easy and comprehensive way that takes account of all aspects of sustainability? The presentation is based on the authors' experiences in the German research programme on leisure travel (http:www.freizeitverkehr.de), completed in 2004. As part of this, the project "Eventverkehr" http://www.eventverkehr.de/datpdf/evgrb.pdf) developed and tested strategies for event-related transport solutions. The main case study has been the international horticultural exhibition (Internationale Gartenbauausstellung) which took place in Rostock, Germany, and the surrounding region in the summer of 2003. The development of "travel chains" which link the various sites as well as the different means of transport and bring in new service elements has been a major activity. Hence although events pose particular challenges due to the concentration of travel demand, the issues presented here are transferable to other forms of leisure- and tourism-travel. To allow practitioners (event-managers, transportation planners and tour-operators) to assess the sustainability of the new "travel chains" (e.g. transport services, travel packages), a userfriendly Excel-based-tool (EVALENT) has been developed. Its criteria catalogue facilitates a rough overview on the ecological, social and economic impacts of the product as well as the other transport services in the region. Different alternatives can be ranked to decide which travel chain to promote. The presentation will include a demonstration of the tool. In order to improve the position of sustainable modes, the project examined ways to integrate trip and event to create a "seamless experience". Two examples will be presented: "Pearls pointing to the sea": This concept was thought as a round trip with the idea of visiting different destinations in the surrounding region of the main event. The "Wassertour" combined the appeal of a boat trip with the possibility for social contact between visitors and local residents, aiming to bridge the gap between the two groups which often characterises large leisure attractions. Both concepts were tested and subject to a qualitative evaluation of user and provider experiences as part of the project work. The concept of "travel chains" demonstrating sustainable ways of travel can be seen as a tool for integrated travel and tourism planning and management. For the covering abstract please see ITRD E135207.
Abstract