Lys sans Frontières and Toerisme Leiestreek worked on the creation of a
trans-border network of Greeters, as part of the European Interreg IV phase
2 programme. The concept, which was born in New York, is to offer tourists
an opportunity to meet local residents, who can introduce them to and tell to
them about 'their' much-loved and esteemed neighbourhood or city.
The Greeters are residents of the Lys Valley, who accompany tourists (no more than 6 people) as part of a voluntary agreement. They show the tourists their favourite places, unsung sites of their town/village and the surrounding area, while also introducing them to the 'living history' of the place. The Greeter's own history plays a key part in the story told along the way.The Greeters are not in competition with the guides that are already present, but act as ambassadors of their region.
The Greeters are residents of the Lys Valley, who accompany tourists (no more than 6 people) as part of a voluntary agreement. They show the tourists their favourite places, unsung sites of their town/village and the surrounding area, while also introducing them to the 'living history' of the place. The Greeter's own history plays a key part in the story told along the way.The Greeters are not in competition with the guides that are already present, but act as ambassadors of their region.
Lys sans Frontières has
been working since 2012 with the tourist offices, Nord Tourisme and Pas de Calais Tourisme in order to meet the
Greeters and give them an accreditation in accordance with the international
charter of Greeters (Global Greeter Network).
To date, 11 Greeters (8 in the Pas-de-Calais and 3 in the Nord) offer the chance to visit some of the hidden treasures of the Lys Valley: heritage, walks, inland waterway tourism, fine food, etc. Whether you are on foot or on a bike, you can rove across the region with them, from the spring of the Lys in the Ternois hills right up to the Lille agglomeration.
And if you wish to cross the border and follow the river to its mouth at Ghent, 25 Greeters of the Lys in Belgium will also be delighted to welcome you, speaking French to boot! Take a look at their profiles at the following website: www.greeters-leiestreek.be
To date, 11 Greeters (8 in the Pas-de-Calais and 3 in the Nord) offer the chance to visit some of the hidden treasures of the Lys Valley: heritage, walks, inland waterway tourism, fine food, etc. Whether you are on foot or on a bike, you can rove across the region with them, from the spring of the Lys in the Ternois hills right up to the Lille agglomeration.
And if you wish to cross the border and follow the river to its mouth at Ghent, 25 Greeters of the Lys in Belgium will also be delighted to welcome you, speaking French to boot! Take a look at their profiles at the following website: www.greeters-leiestreek.be