Europe at Auchrannie
The Sports Hall at Auchrannie was transformed to an outpost of the European Union on Monday 21st March, when a discussion on Sustainable Tourism involved interested people from all over Europe. A row of glass-fronted boxes in which simultaneous translators performed their magic trick of speaking one language while listening to another meant that there was no problem in understanding people from Poland or Lithuania or Italy – the headsets were perfectly clear and so, unusually, were the ideas expressed.
Everyone agreed that there’s a need to cut through red tape and simplify funding applications. They were thinking alike, too, about the importance of preserving the natural heritage of places while making them available to be looked at. ‘Eco-tourism’ was felt to be the right way forward, offering visitors a chance to experience a place with its own way of life but ensuring that their presence does not destroy the very thing they have come to see. Carol Gleeson, Project Manager for the Burren Initiative in County Clare, Ireland, cited the case of nine local farmers who got together with a plan to show tourists the traditional ways of farming that had preserved the land and got the best from it before the advent of intensive production. It succeeded beyond their wildest dreams and is now established as a popular attraction. There were presentations from Poland and Slovakia, where the problems seemed no greater than those experienced in Scotland, but Bruno Marziano from Sicily spoke of a population dwindling in numbers and a state of complete ruination in many of the area’s fabulous historic towns. Ancient buildings are being brought back into use as hotels, thus, he said, increasing tourism without having to build anything, but there is a desperate need for a co-ordinated rail structure, and to establish co-operation in the running of such assets as magnificent Roman amphitheatres. Though he never mentioned the word, Mafia, it floated in an almost perceptible thought-bubble above every head. But, as Signor Marziano said, they were looking now for co-applications comprising ‘both public and private authorities.’
Kenneth Gibson gave an address of welcome to all the delegates and then, as Arran’s busy and hard-working MSP, rushed off to attend a local surgery. Roger Knox MSP drew attention to Marvin Elliott’s beautiful sculpture that stood in the corner of the hall, and spoke briefly about the ‘Ken Again’ raffle now being eagerly subscribed to both on and off the island.
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