14 Mar 2022 Interview Community

🇬🇧 “A feeling of gratitude to be allowed to live here”

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Entrevista a Claire Versteeg

Claire was a student of the 1st edition of the Course for Local promoted by the Rota Vicentina Association and she shared her testimony with us.

What brought you to the Rota Vicentina’s Course for Local Guides?

In a phase in my life where I was arms wide open for a new path, a friend gave me the tip for this course. I instantly felt that, even though I didn’t know what the exact content of the course was, I wanted to follow that path. Touching on the nature of people, opening doors through a deeper and more intimate contact with nature, taking care of her.

What was the concept that most impressed you during this initiative?

There were many interesting concepts, but maybe the one that stayed most with me was the concept of ethics, and of the importance of restoring this concept of the ethics of hospitality to be able to transform current tourism into a more responsible tourism.

How do you see this group of local guides 5 years from now?

I see a group that grew, not only in size, but also in maturity, and that supports each other and local agents in a network where the guides have an important role in the conservation of the natural, cultural and human patrimony of this region.

A sentence that defines your route through the Rota Vicentina’s Course for Local Guides?

During the course, I felt like a child discovering a treasure: amazed by the richness on so many levels of this territory, which brought me a feeling of gratitude to be allowed to live here, and at the same time of responsibility in the affective care of the region.

During Semana ID 2022, Claire is promoting the activity  Sensory journey from the forest to the sea.

Click here to find out more

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