Numerous medical studies have shown the positive effects of forests on different aspects of human health. This study deals with the content of major terpenes in dominant coniferous species in Tara National Park, Serbia, in order to explore the potential for the development of a novel health tourism programme based on forest therapy. Main terpenes were analysed using a headspace-sam-pling technique coupled with gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (Head-space-GC/MS). Nee-dles of fir and spruce growing in the vicinity of hiking trails were investigated for possibilities to perform such therapy. Major detected terpenes were α-cadinol and spathulenol previously de-scribed as antiviral, antitumor, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory agents. The results of the study were favourable and worked well with the existing walking infrastructure in the observed area of the Tara Mountain, as they act as invaluable resources for designing the structured forest bathing walks. The study not only adds to the knowledge in the environmental and public health realm but also to tourism and sustainability studies.
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This paper examines how a serious game approach could support a participatory planning process by bringing stakeholders together to discuss interventions that assist the development of sustainable urban tourism. A serious policy game was designed and played in six European cities by a total of 73 participants, reflecting a diverse array of tourism stakeholders. By observing in-game experiences, a pre- and post -game survey and short interviews six months after playing the game, the process and impact of the game was investigated. While it proved difficult to evaluate the value of a serious game approach, results demonstrate that enacting real-life policymaking in a serious game setting can enable stakeholders to come together, and become more aware of the issues and complexities involved with urban tourism planning. This suggests a serious game can be used to stimulate the uptake of academic insights in a playful manner. However, it should be remembered that a game is a tool and does not, in itself, lead to inclusive participatory policymaking and more sustainable urban tourism planning. Consequently, care needs to be taken to ensure inclusiveness and prevent marginalization or disempowerment both within game-design and the political formation of a wider participatory planning approach.
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Client: European Commission (DG-Enterprise), subcontracted through Comunitá Montana Associazione dei Comuni Trasimeno-Medio Tevere SLOW TOUR (Sustainable Lake Oriented Walking Tourism) is a project funded by the European Commission's DG Enterprise and Industry within the Programme Competiveness and Innovation Framework (CIP) under the call “Knowledge Networks for the competitiveness and sustainability of European tourism”.SLOW TOUR's goal is to make tourism on and around European lakes more sustainable and competitive. To achieve this, best-practices, certifications and networks in lake tourism were gathered and analysed within a coherent framework, leading to a “Manual of Excellence of Lake tourism in Europe” as its main product. CSTT's contribution was mainly focused on a Sustainability Impact Assessment of a number of European lake destinations, and the development of indicators and benchmarks for sustainable tourism products in lake areas.For SLOW TOUR, the NHTV Centre for Sustainable Tourism and Transport was subcontracted through Comunitá Montana Associazione dei Comuni Trasimeno - Medio Tevere (Italy). The other parties are Global Nature FUND, representing the Living Lakes network, and the University of Perugia. The project ran from June 2010 to November 2011.