New York, June 2014

Baden Württemberg, otherwise known as SouthWest Germany, is a world-class vacation destination and home to the Black Forest, beautifully maintained castles, cultural treasures of Lake Constance, Heidelberg, car museums and wine regions. It is also the birthplace of the Green Party in Germany and true to its origins, the state incorporates green practices in all areas of life, including tourism with green hotels, electric cars, regional access cards and a new national park. TWC's 24 hour news and information channel chose to visit Baden-Württemberg to report on and highlight the success SouthWest Germany continues to achieve.

 Germany has a desire to rid itself of nuclear energy for many reasons and the motivation behind the development of alternative energies is wide spread as there is an inherent belief in the positive effects. „In Baden-Württemberg, tourism is an important industry. In a time when tourism is booming and the topic of climate change is so important, we are working to support alternative energy and green practices in all areas of tourism,“ according to Cornelia Bressem, head of the tourism division at the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection of Baden-Württemberg.  „The resolute commitment to sustainable technology and practices is quite evident on the part of everyone in SouthWest Germany from farmers to top scientists and is impressive and exemplary,“ said Thomas Farkas, Director of Local Programming at Time Warner Cable. 

 Freiburg, at the southern end of the Black Forest, is Southwest Germany's  scientific and cultural stronghold for renewable technology. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) is on the forefront of developing solar energy and the growing solar capabilities of the city. The focus on environmental sustainability, photovoltaics and biotechnologies has given Freiburg a decisive edge in an international competitive environment. Tourists enjoy the jolly and spirited atmosphere of the university city at the center of the Badische wine region but they are also amazed at the solar developments. The district of Vauban is practically self-sustaining, and is home to the Heliotrop, or round solar house, that revolves on its axis capturing the sun's rays throughout the year. Recently Freiburg also constructed the first solar soccer stadium in the world, and its 2,300 meters of solar roof makes the stadium completely self-sufficient. While the Best Western Premier Eco Hotel Victoria, is a four star hotel and one of the most sustainable in the world renowned for its solar roof and wood chip-burning furnace.  

Up north in Heidelberg, another impressive renewable urban center is taking shape in the form of the Bahnstadt. Sustainable design and energy efficiency are brought to life in the Passivhaus projects in Heidelberg´s newest city section Bahnstadt, which is currently one of Germany´s largest urban development projects. It covers an area larger than 200 football fields, with the estimated investment volume in excess of two billion euros. With its high standards in sustainability, Bahnstadt is naturally a highly respected model. Mayor Dr. Eckart Würzner has already presented the concept as a guest speaker at various international conferences, and urban planners from Europe, Asia, North and South America come to Heidelberg to find out about the district at first hand.

 A visit to SouthWest Germany's beautiful countryside and charming towns shows that environmental production runs deep.  In the Black Forest, the Bio Energy Town of Freiamt demonstrates how renewable energies, including wind power, biomass and even hydropower can electrify and heat entire towns profitably. The tourism agencies representing the Black Forest are actively integrating sustainable practices, including the creation of visitor cards (Konus Card and Black Forest Highlands Card) allowing visitors free access to E-Cars, mass transit and light rail along with many additional benefits. At the very beginning of this year, the state has approved the creation of its first national park, the Black Forest National Park. 

  Visits to the Hohenlohe region of SouthWest Germany, just southeast of Stuttgart, show that farmers and people in small towns are on the cutting edge of environmental practices. Bretzfeld-Siebeneich is one of the leading bio energy towns in Germany heating the entire town from biomass. At Schwäbisch Hall, there is the Rural Production Association of Schwäbisch Hall e.V. (BESH), that is able to facilitate many of the sustainability projects in the area of Schwäbisch Hall and Hohenlohe. Gourmets and gourmands source their meat and sausage from the region as well as many other products as they are well known for their adherence to strict organic guidelines as well as strict rules on raising and feeding the animals.

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Larson                                                 

Press Representative, US and Canada              

State Tourist Board SouthWest Germany        

917-678-7689 mobile                                       

212-362-3421 telephone

victoria@vklarsoncommunications.com

www.tourismus-bw.de