First German-American Climate Forest

On October 28, 2009 members of the American Tourism Society (ATS), German tourism professionals and university students from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern took part in establishing the first German-American Climate Forest in Schuenhagen. The planting was initiated by the organization Tourism Cares.

It was the first joint program of ATS and Tourism Cares, a non-profit US-based philanthropy, which is dedicated to “preserve the travel experience for future generations”. The tree planting was part of the ATS 2009 Fall Conference in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern where the ATS did not only celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the inner German boarder, but also the 20th Anniversary of its foundation. Phil Otterson, ATS president and Executive VP, External Affairs, Tauck World Discovery, said that “the ATS is pleased to be able to provide its delegates with the opportunity to do something meaningful for the destination”.

Tourism Cares financed 300 trees which were planted in Schuenhagen. It was the first Tourism Cares Project in Europe. Bernd Fischer, chief executive officer of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Tourist Board, said: “The ATS meeting in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern does not only give us the opportunity to present the attractions of our state to top tour operators of the US market, but also the chance to show our focus on nature-protecting activities, critical to a sustainable tourism policy”.

About the ATS Fall 2009 Conference

The ATS Fall 2009 Conference celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, while marking the 20th Anniversary of the founding of the ATS. The conference took place at the luxurious five-star Grand Hotel Heiligendamm. In addition to seminars and networking, the ATS delegates were able to participate in the NTA (National Tour Association) Post-ATS Conference Product Development Tour departing Heiligendamm on Oct, 29, ending in Berlin on Nov 1, 2009.

About Tourism Cares

Tourism Cares is a non-profit public charity that benefits society by preserving the travel experience for future generations and awarding grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide; by presenting academic and professional development scholarships to students of hospitality and tourism; and by organizing volunteer restoration efforts to restore tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation. For additional information on Tourism Cares, please visit http://www.tourismcares.org/

Our Forest Shareholders

Axel Prahl, Actor

I travel to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern because the good things are all within a stone's throw away, and I don't want to be on a plane for hours polluting the air. The forest shares idea suits the State like the local beach and nature. That's why I support it.

Till Backhaus, Agricultural, Environmental, and Consumer Protection Minister for MV

Whoever goes on holiday to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern should both counteract climate change and be encouraged to sustain and protect the environment. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is good for you: enjoy your holiday and feel good – be part of it!

Sylvia Bretschneider, President of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Tourist Board

Protecting the environment begins with every person considering how they act, and then how these actions have consequences. Taking part in the forest shares scheme produces three main positive outcomes: a small personal contribution towards a healthier climate, environmental education for both guests and locals, and ever-expanding forests in which we can all recuperate in the future.