Satellite event: Sustainable thermal and spa tourism in Abano Terme: improving green skills to mitigate climate impact

The aim of the event, which will be promoted by the Major of Abano Terme, Mr Federico Barbierato and will be hosted in the city, by a secondary school ‘Leon Battista Alberti’, is to raise awareness about the climate change consequences for the local communities by targeting young students, explaining them the importance of being committed and responsible with their behaviour on daily basis to reduce the CO2 emissions. During the interactive workshop/training, besides receiving an explanation about the EU Climate PACT and other EU related climate and tourism policies from the ambassador Cinzia De Marzo, the students will have the opportunity to understand to want extend the geothermal energy used by the local administration of Abano Terme, can be useful also for the thermal tourism in terms of energy efficiency performances of the tourist establishments, and it can become a good example to be shared in other communities also abroad. The students will interact with the speakers not only by asking questions but also by proposing a set of innovative ideas related to the green buildings (hotels, campings, etc) in the field of tourism, to be implemented (if possible) in the months to come.

Event agenda:

9:00 am

Welcome greetings - Stefania Ponchia, Headmaster and Luigi Bisato, Provincial Councilor with responsibility for public education

9:15 am

Greetings and introduction of the works - Federico Barbierato, Mayor of Abano Terme

9:45 am

Presentation of the European Climate Pact, international context and European best practice projects on sustainable tourism - Cinzia De Marzo, European Ambassador of the Climate Pact

10:30 am

Presentation of sustainable spa tourism experience from the point of view of hotels, Marco Gottardo- Director of Federalberghi Terme

10.55 am – 11:10 am break

11:10 am

Interaction with students based on the collection of inputs and innovative ideas on the subject of green skills in spa tourism (also with the use of mini interviews via TikTok/Instagram), coordinated by Cinzia De Marzo

11:40 am

Illustration of the key messages collected among the students, to be presented by one of their spokesperson

11:45 am

Conclusion by the Mayor of Abano Terme, Federico Barbierato