1. European Action Week Rural Tourism 2.005 PRESENTATION Holidays in the countryside have a long tradition in Europe. Unlike any other kind of tourism, they allow visitors to experience the great variety of our culture, traditions, and nature. In view of an increasing international demand, over the past years the organisations representing Rural Tourism providers all over Europe have made great efforts to unify criteria and to set up common standards. The result of this process presents a unique European product that combines cultural diversity, strict cumpliance with criteria of sustainability, and quality assurance for the client.

2. European Action Week Rural Tourism 2.005 This sector of the tourism economy is based on private accommodation in farms and rural households across Europe. It provides more than 400.000 accommodation units with 4.000.000 bedspaces. Together with a long list of related rural tourism services (such as gastronomy, activities, or handicrafts), the total impact of this sector to the rural economy is estimated to be well above 150.000 million EUR

3. European Action Week Rural Tourism 2.005 Eurog î tes (European Federation of Farm and Village Tourism) presents you the great variety of this offer from 22 countries during the European Week of Rural Tourism 2005

4. European Action Week Rural Tourism 2.005 During the second week of October, through coordinated actions all over Europe, it will provide information and hands-on experience in order to present this product to the European client. This will also create consciousness amongst private and publich political stakeholders about the importance of this sector for the rural areas that cover more than 92% of the territory of Europe.

5. European Action Week Rural Tourism 2.005 Official Opening of the Action Week October 7th in Nantes (FR) Three main topics to be communicated during the week: –“ Enjoy today preserving the future ” (sustainability) –“ Grandma ’ s pancake at it ’ s best ” (traditions) –“ 45 varieties of quality ” (product and standards assurance) A great variety of national, regional, and local actions such as “ open days ” promoting rural tourism services, roundtable discussions, media trips, exhibitions, and others will in addition be organised by the member organisations of EuroGites.

6. European Action Week Rural Tourism 2.005 Updated information about the different events can be obtained from the central coordination office of EuroGites at actionweek@eurogites.org and from the different member organisations. A list of all activities by country con be found at www.eurogites.org/actionweek