Alpine Pearls (www.alpine-pearls.com) is a network of 27 destinations across the Alps, each committed to promoting environmentally-conscious, sustainable tourism and car-free access to Europe's most diverse mountain region. With member destinations in Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Slovenia, Alpine Pearls is a unique, pan-European organisation and the largest tourism cooperation of its kind. Through environmentally-friendly transport concepts (“Soft Mobility”), tourist programmes, as well as support for traditional Alpine lifestyles, products and culture, Alpine Pearls makes it easier to plan and enjoy sustainable, greener holidays in the Alps. The association celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2016.

Each Alpine Pearl destination has its own way of putting the core principles of ecological, sustainable tourism into practice, but ensuring green transport options and the reduction of CO² emissions is key. In Werfenweng, for example, the headquarters of Alpine Pearls, some 45km south of Salzburg in Austria, guests can enjoy the benefits of a local transport card, costing just €10 per stay. Holders of the card are offered a wide range of benefits, such as free transfers from the local railway station to their hotel or apartment, the free use of a whole fleet of e-bikes, biogas-powered or electric cars and even Segways, as well as free shared taxis and shuttle services. An ideal option, not just for the environment, but also to explore the area without the hassle of a hire car. And the kids will love it!

Some further examples of how Alpine Pearls communities are making Alpine tourism greener include:

Bled, Slovenia

In Bled, in the Julian Alps, visitors are offered transport options in traditional horse-drawn carriages, by cycle or with e-bikes – all CO² -free. Furthermore, motorboats are banned from the town's beautiful lake, where traditional, locally-built “Pletna” row-boats are the preferred means of getting around.

A new hop-on, hop-off bus service has also recently been started for the surrounding areas and for the Triglav National Park, while a new tourist information centre informs visitors of the sustainable tourism activities and services on offer. Bled has also just seen the opening of its first green, luxury resort, “Garden Village” (www.gardenvillagebled.com), complete with glamping tents, tree houses and wellness complex.

Les Gets, France

Les Gets is village in the French Alps, some 60km east of Geneva in the Haute Savoie region. Known as a great ski destination in winter, in summer the resort is becoming a hotspot for cyclists and mountain-bikers. In winter, skiers arriving by electric car automatically receive VIP parking spaces as well as a 20% discount on lift passes. Summer guests can enjoy e-bike hire and special mountain bike routes throughout the whole “Portes du Soleil” region. All guests to Les Gets profit from the range of free and low-cost public transport options throughout the area, such as village shuttles and a special nighttime minibus shuttle, allowing guests to enjoy the nightlife and restaurants of the region without having to take a car or taxi.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Interlaken's Jungfrau region of Switzerland is a great example of integrated, sustainable transport, combining 25 different modes of transport from trains, trams, cable cars and hybrid buses, all running on low or CO²-neutral levels.  Interlaken not only offers various incentives for visitors arriving by public transport, but also guarantees that relaxation and fun are combined with sustainable practices.

At the town's BuggyPark, for instance, winter adrenalin-seekers can blast across snow-covered  pistes in electric E-Cross-Buggies, sliding into corners and accelerating with g-force without polluting the environment. Also in winter, the “Top of Europe Ice Magic” ice park creates a paradise for ice-skating throughout the centre of the town. Numerous ice-fields are linked by frozen ice-paths and canals, lined with stalls and even an igloo restaurant, all powered solely by green, renewable electricity sources. And for foodies, throughout the summer months a series of culinary trails lead visitors to authentic mountain restaurants where regional four-course menus are offered, created just from local products. Great tastes, but without the food-miles.

Termignon, France

Located at 1300m above sea level, close to the Italian border in the Savoie Mont Blanc region of France, Termignon is all about the simple pleasures of unspoilt, Alpine life and landscapes. Protecting the fragile Alpine environment while sharing it with guests and visitors is key for the locals of the region.

From the “Trottibus des neiges”, a free horse-drawn carriage shuttle service in winter, or the year-round hop-on, hop-off bus services to the villages of the Haute Maurienne Vanoise valley, visitors to Termignon can happily leave their cars parked at home. The family-friendly “Exploration pass”, also available in the village, includes admission to numerous activities from culture and cultural heritage to sports and entertainment. A new and fully-flexible scheme the village has also begun is “controlled hitchhiking” where participants receive an identity card. Over forty official stopping points have been created within the region, alongside a registration system for local drivers taking part in the scheme. Participating drivers display a sticker in their car, as well as an identity card within the vehicle.

The Alpine Pearls network is one-of-a-kind in Europe, combining breathtaking destinations with inspiration for the future of sustainable tourism. Whether it be singles, couples or families, fans of the great outdoors, gourmets, wellness fans or culture lovers , Alpine Pearls should be the first port-of-call for all travellers seeking an environmentally-friendly way to discover the beauty of the Alps.

The Alpine Pearls 

Germany: Bad Reichenhall, Berchtesgaden

France: Les Gets, Termignon

Italy: Chamois, Forni di Sopra, Villnöss, Ratschings, Tiers, Moos im Passeiertal, Cogne, Moena, Mals, Valdidentro, Ceresole-Reale, Limone-Piemonte, Pragelato

Austria: Werfenweng, Neukirchen am Großvenediger, Hinterstoder, Mallnitz, Weissensee

Switzerland: Arosa, Interlaken, Disentis, Les Diablerets

Slovenia: Bled