European waterways as a source of leisure and recreation.

Abstract

This chapter uses examples from a variety of European waterways and their immediate surroundings to present an overview of activities that are both water- and land-based and which collectively constitute Europe's river tourism sector. Potential threats to river and canal tourism are also discussed. The chapter concludes by considering how the long-term economic and ecological sustainability of European river and canal tourism can be maintained.

Economic decline and the birth of a tourist nation

“…Relative to its modest size, Norway is well "equipped" with tourist attractions. The Norwegian fjords were included in the UNESCO World Heritage in 2004 and named the bestunspoiled travel destination in the world in 2004 and 2009 by the National Geographic's Traveler Magazine (Erfurt-Cooper, 2009;Hawkins, Chang, & Warnes, 2009). The Disney animation movie "Frozen" (released in December 2013) and the TV series "Vikings" (started to produce in 2013) have both created awareness and pull factors for Norway as a tourist destination (Beaumont-Thomas, 2014;Metcalf, Linnes, Agrusa, & Lema, 2015), likely reinforcing foreigners' perception of Norway as exotic with key image associations like cold, dark, snow, mountain, Vikings and fjords (Prebensen, 2007).…”

Danube Cruise Tourism as a Niche Product—An Overview of the Current Supply and Potential

“…After the 1970s, cruise holidays were offered mostly in the Caribbean, and their popularity was boosted by the region's glorious landscapes enjoyed from the comfort of a luxury cruise-diner. This also boosted the European river cruise industry [34,[60][61][62]. Danube cruise tourists spend an average of USD 41.2 million every year.…”

Ambientes aquáticos não marítimos no baixo Mondego: margens para a recreação, o lazer e o turismo

“…O planeamento urbano na Europa das décadas de 80 e de 90 do século XX ficou marcado por estratégias de regeneração das margens dos rios que estavam abandonadas e de valorização das frentes de água (Jones, 2007). Em muitas cidades da Europa as margens dos rios são localizações preferenciais para hotéis e restaurantes, proporcionado aos consumidores vistas panorâmicas e espaços agradáveis e relaxantes (Erfurt-Cooper, 2009;Williams, 2009), integrando-se o processo de regeneração das frentes de água na transformação pós-industrial/pós-moderna de refazer as cidades e a sua identidade (Marshall, 2001;Williams, 2009), o que denota a importância de ao nível da paisagem urbana integrar os ecossistemas aquáticos naturais nos espaços construídos (Day et al, 2008).…”