Weissensee

Weissensee is a rural village in Carinthia withy mainly Agriculture and Tourism related economy. Tourism has a long tradition and is with approximately 3.200 beds and 450.000 overnight stays (2019, status before COVID19) economically quite important. The farm units get their income mainly from tourism sector too.
The area of Weissensee is mainly protected. Highly relevant is that lake shore is mainly unobstructed,not built up with transport infrastructure and buildings.
The Weissensee region is an EU prizewinner for tourism and the environment (1995) and bears the title of "climatic health resort". We have been a “climate alliance community” since May 2005 and a “nature park community” since May 2006.
Weissensee is referred to as a pilot community regarding nature protection, soft mobility and smart energy: Member of Leader Region "Karnische Region" and Member of Alpine Pearls - a alpine network for car free tourism. Weissensee is e5-certified, that means a high energy efficient village.
Pilotdestination KEM Tourismusdestination Nassfeld-Lesachtal-Weissensee." The aim is to ensure the high quality of life of the people in the valley, to preserve the beautiful nature and to value the local resources, to position the region as an ambassador for efficient and sustainable tourism.
Focus points Weissensee:
-Sustainable Community Strategies -Nature Park
-Mobility: nature park bus; Weissensee shuttle
-Regional products: Culinary Organic farms, farm products, 1st SlowFoodTravel region in Austria with a set of sustainable quality criteria.
-Model tourism businesses: Sustainable building, certifications/awards (organic, eco-label, etc.)
-Sustainable offers: ice skating lake Weissensee, cross-country skiing, hiking
 

Country

Austria

Type

mountains, sparsely populated areas

Degree of urbanization

population of 771

Village Solutions

Most Sustainable Destination – Soft Mobiltiy

Weissensee is part of Pilotdestination KEM (Climate Energy Modell) Tourismusdestination Nassfeld-Lesachtal-Weissensee - on the way to the most sustainable destination in Austria." The aim is to ensure the high quality of life of the people in the valley, to preserve the beautiful nature and to value the local resources, to position the region as an ambassador for efficient and sustainable tourism with a focus on sustainable mobility.

Since 1995 Weissensee follows a clear strategy for sustainable tourism. Soft mobile infrastructure and car free tourism offers are key.
Main acitivities:
* partly car free areas
* Nature parc shuttle; Weissensee shuttle
* Weissensee premiumcard (all services inclusive)
* e-car sharing
* Support arival by train
* focus on sustainable activites: summer: swimming, hiking, biking; winter: icecating, cross country skiing

Environment | Living | Mobility & connectivity

Nature Parc Weissensee

Most of the area of Weissensee are protected Area. Since 2006 Weissensee is officially accepted as Nature parc.
Themed trails inform about fauna and flora. Hiking from Naggl direction Bodenalm, information boards tell about art of glass making and the remains of glass blowing furnace.
The highlight has become the “pleasure tour with the raft", at which the passenger get informed by trained nature park guides over the nature park Weißensee is mediated and Weissensee fish delicacies to be served.

Environment | Governance | Living | Mobility & connectivity | Services

Contact Information

Gemeinde Weissensee, weissensee@ktn.gde.at

Mayor Turnschek Karoline, karoline.turnschek@ktn.gde.at