Supported by Rewilding Europe, nature-based tourism company Wildlife Adventures has grown spectacularly over the last nine years, with burgeoning benefits for nature and communities in Italy’s Central Apennines. Such support can help similar European businesses follow in the company’s footsteps.

Thanks to a loan from Rewilding Europe Capital, the high altitude Bisegna Mountain Refuge offers wild nature lovers a unique experience in the heart of Italy’s stunning Apennine mountains. The converted shepherd’s hut welcomed its first guests in July.

Swedish Lapland’s rich natural resources can form the basis for a vibrant and sustainable local economy.

Today, Rewilding Lapland and the Swedish Ecotourism Society signed a partnership agreement in support of the conservation and restoration of the natural and cultural heritage of Lapland. The creation of sustainable nature-based economic activities is at the heart of the agreement aiming to, through tourism, foster finances in support of both nature and local people.

This November, the eighth web-based seminar of the European Rewilding Network took place. Members of the network shared valuable experiences on how to increase the tourism value of wild nature and wildlife. The seminar addressed the benefits that can arise from nature-based tourism for nature, wildlife as well as for local communities. One of the highlights was to learn how local people benefit from wildlife photography in the Iberian Peninsula.

This summer, the rewilding team has been busy designing a Tented Camp experience in the Southern Carpathians rewilding landscape. The infrastructure for the Tented Camp is made up of highly durable tents and other amenities designed to provide comfort for tourists who want to spend a couple of nights in a remote and wild natural area, explore the surroundings with specialized wildlife guides but also offer an exclusive experience to those who are not the usual campers.

The Rewilding Europe team is looking for a new, passionate, dedicated and experienced colleague to fulfil the position of Wildlife Tourism Manager (maximum 0.8 fte). He/she will be responsible to work with the enterprise team in developing a series of innovative wildlife tourism products in our rewilding areas across Europe.

As global tourism grows and tourists seek new experiences and destinations, adventure travel continues to expand. From 2009 to 2012, the adventure travel market had an estimated average yearly growth of 65 percent.