Klaus Ehrlich holds a university degree in economics and has 20 years of practical experience in the field of rural tourism. He is President of EuroGites - European Federation of Farm and Village Tourism that is formed by 32 professional organisations from 26 countries of geographical Europe. The product goes from the rural Bed&Breakfast and self-catering in private homes or farms, up to small family-run rural hotels and guesthouses. This sector, with an estimate overall of 400.000 establishments and about 3,6 million bed places, generates about 15% of the European tourism turnover. Main tasks and activities of EuroGites are: information and communication network; professional representation at European institutions; harmonisation of information content and terminology; definition of common quality criteria and standards, with the final objective of a common branding and marketing on European level (recommendations for minimum standards were approved in 2005); professional and vocational training. EuroGites is also responsible for the European Congress on Rural Tourism.
Contacts:
www.eurogites.org