Spanish Public Works Minister, José Blanco, inaugurated the Conference, and began by recalling that since 1993 the Spanish Government is working on the development of Greenways in order to obtain the maximum historical, social and environmental use of these former railway lines. Ever since, greenways are being enhanced as a tool for promoting a new leisure and sport culture and non-motorized mobility. He also stressed that “Greenways are a great source of wealth and job creation in the rural areas they cross. Creating and promoting a greenway contributes to the establishment of population in rural areas.”

During the opening ceremony, the director of “New Approach Industries, Tourism and CSR” of the DG of Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission, Pedro Ortún, stressed that the aim of the Conference and the Greenways Programs fully fits the European model of sustainable tourism in its three dimensions: economic, social and environmental. President of ADIF, Antonio González, explained the role that ADIF has had all over the seventeen years since the establishment of the first greenway. Also, the regional representative for Europe of the World Tourism Organization, Eduardo Fayos, insisted on the fact that Greenways are a great bet for a new tourism model to be promoted in the coming years, for being linked to sustainable rural development.

Throughout the V European Greenways Conference, the participants reached a consensus on the Madrid Declaration, which reflects the intention of advancing the development of a “European Green Network” reserved for non-motorized users, comprising for the most part Greenways…the creation of specific funding lines for greenways in the different European Union bodies, its member states, regions and local authorities,…the creation of a platform for sharing technical knowledge, experiences and future projects around Greenways at a European level,… the biennial celebration of a European Greenways Conference and the call of a European Greenways Award, promoted by the European Greenways Association,…”

More information: www.europeangreenwaysconference.org