Sustainable Tourism in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve
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Gazteria Zuzendaritza / Dirección de Juventud Enpleguko eta Gizarte Politiketako Saila Departamento de Empleo y Políticas sociales Eusko Jaurlaritza / Gobierno Vasco [email protected] http://www.gazteaukera.euskadi.eus SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN THE URDAIBAI BIOSPHERE RESERVE Venue: Busturialdea – Urdaibai (Bizkaia) Mode: Environment and research Objetive: Foster sustainable tourism in the Busturialdea region, in harmony with nature Dates: From 16 to 30 July // From 30 July to 13 August Age: 18-26 years Vacancies: 20 per turn Type: International Languaje: English (It is indispensable to speak well English) The district of Busturialdea, located in the eastern half of Biscay, includes a total of 20 municipalities; of which some of the best known are: Bermeo, Elantxobe, Gernika-Lumo, Ibarrangelu, Kortezubi, Morga, Mundaka, etc. The large area of the district, together with the excellent preservation of its natural environment, makes it one of the more frequently visited natural enclaves in the Basque Country. It must be noted that this district has been declared a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO (Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve). Participants will stay in Gautegiz Arteaga, a small village near Mundaka. The most emblematic building in this village is Arteaga Tower, a medieval house-tower that was rebuilt during the 19th century at the behest of the French Empress, Eugénie de Montijo. Near Arteaga Tower is the Urdaibai Bird Centre, a research centre and one of the most important ornithological museums in Europe. The Urdaibai Bird Centre is a huge living museum of nature which opens its doors to the general public so that everyone can learn about and enjoy the fascinating world of birds and their migrations. More information: Gautegiz Arteago City Council: http://www.gautegizarteaga.com/es-ES/Paginas/default.aspx Urdaibai: http://www.turismourdaibai.com/en Urdaibai Bird Center: http://www.birdcenter.org/en DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK The Busturialdea-Urdaibai region contains a number of popular tourist destinations, including San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Oma Forest and the Gernika Assembly House (among others). This work camp will enable young people from all over the world to interact with tourists visiting the area. Volunteers will be stationed at the main tourist spots, conducting surveys and interviews in different languages (English, Spanish, Basque, etc.). Participants in the work camp will process the data gathered in these surveys and interviews, with the help of an expert in tourism. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Oma Forest The work camp will take place in the main tourist spots of the Busturialdea-Urdaibai region (San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Oma Forest and the Gernika Assembly House) RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES The camp team will propose a series of activities which facilitate the relationships between all those people participating in the work camp and the community hosting the camp. This will enable a greater understanding of the environment in which the work takes place, as well as an introduction to the culture and customs of the Basque Country. There will be trips to Bilbao and the Gipuzkoa coastline, cultural visits, sporting activities, games, etc. All these activities will be carried out in the afternoon/evening and at the weekend, with the participation of all members of the group. The activity programme will be presented in more detail later on. The team will take into account volunteers’ proposals. THINGS TO BRING Sleeping bag (there are no sheets) Hat or cap to protect from the sun Pillow (if needed) Sunscreen lotion Personal hygiene items Sunglasses Towels for shower and swimming pool Bathing suit Warm clothing and rain garments Flip-flops Footwear for walking in the mountains Small backpack for excursions and for sports DOCUMENTS EACH YOUTH MUST BRING TO THE CAMP Documents each youth must bring to the camp: . Id Card or foreigner resident card or passport. Individual health insurance card LOCATION OF THE CAMP AND ACCOMODATION Location of the camp: The work camp will take place in the main tourist spots of the Busturialdea- Urdaibai region (San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Oma Forest and the Gernika Assembly House). All are located within the Urbaibai Biosphere Reserve. Accommodation: Participants will stay at the Gautegiz Arteaga school, located on the banks of the Mundaka estuary, in the Busturialdea-Urdaibai region. Dormitories will be set up in the infant school, a building which is already equipped with bathrooms and showers. The bathrooms and showers located at the front of the school building will also be made available to participants, as well as a kitchen and dining hall. ARRIVAL AT THE WORK CAMP The meeting point will be on the first day of the camp in Gautegiz Arteaga at 18:00 at the Town Hall. If you are unable to arrive at the stated time, you must arrive within the following 24 hours; always with good cause and after advising the Department of Youth of the Basque Government. HOW TO REACH THE CAMP Situation of Gauztegi Arteaga (Bizkaia) The nearest international airport is Loiu (Bilbao). A shuttle bus leaves every 30 minutes, connecting the airport to the city of Bilbao. Once in Bilbao, participants should go to the TERMIBUS bus station and take the Bilbao-Lekeitio line, operated by the company Bizkaibus, which passes through Gautegiz Arteaga. Other important nearby cities are Vitoria-Gasteiz and Donostia-San Sebastian (near the border with France). END OF THE WORK CAMP The work camp will finish on the last day, after breakfast and after tidying the house, between 9:00 and 10:00 in the morning. INSURANCE Each young person will be covered by an accident and civil liability insurance policy. Every young person must bring their own individual health insurance card to the camp. INFORMATION AND CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBERS Basque Government. Department of Youth Tel.: 945 01 95 01 – 945 01 95 36 E-mail: [email protected] RULES Before signing-up, the people interested should become familiar with the rules governing Work Camps: These rules can be viewed on the website, www.gazteaukera.euskadi.eus (see Work Camps - work camp features, fees and rules). REOUNCE THE PLACE AND REQUEST A REFUND OF THE FEES This information can be found on the website, www.gazteaukera.euskadi.eus (see the section Work Camps - renounce your place and request a refund of the fee). .