Tourism experts are looking forward to the 'castlecamp' at Kaprun from 13th September

It is general practice among the visitors of a 'barcamp' to take home a sticker once the 'unconference' has finished. That way, the participants want to say, 'I was in on that.' The idea is not really new. For decades, travellers have collected that kind of souvenirs of their holiday destinations and stuck them to their suitcases. It's the 'barcamps' themselves that are new. They have only been organized for about three years since the very first one took place in Palo Alto in California in 2005. This coming Sunday we are going to add another 'first' to the history of the 'barcamps', but on European soil this time: the first 'barcamp' on tourism in Austria is taking place in Zell am See-Kaprun. Its venue is time-honoured Kaprun Castle, from which the event also takes its name - 'castlecamp'.

Peter Eich is one of about 90 participants who have already put their name down for the 'castlecamp'. When the blogger and expert in tourism heard about the 'barcamp' in Zell am See-Kaprun, it seemed the most natural thing in the world for him to undertake the 400-kilometre journey from Constance to Kaprun. That alone, he says, is a sure sign of the persistent success of the camps. 'At the beginning 'barcamps' would take place where people were, usually in metropolitan areas. Nowadays people come to the 'barcamps', no matter were they take place.' And there is still more that has changed, Eich explains. 'A 'barcamp' used to be a kind of brainstorming about all sorts of topics concerning Web 2.0. Today the camps usually deal with very specific topics - such as tourism in the case of the 'castlecamp' in Zell am See-Kaprun.'

But what is it that makes 'barcamps' so special? Hannes Treichl, a self-employed management consultant and Web 2.0 expert from Tyrol, knows what it is. 'There is no preset programme. It is the participants who decide on the agenda and everyone contributes their knowledge in talks and discussions.' That way, the old, inflexible conference structure is broken. There is no more keynote speaker who talks to a big audience in a monologue - interactivity is increased. Treichl knows from experience to what degree that may happen. 'During a 'barcamp' in Berlin I wasn't able to participate in even a single event on the official agenda. I simply didn't have the time because the informal exchange on the fringe of the event was so extensive.'

What Eich and Treichl have in common is that they are both looking forward to a lively exchange of ideas and further networking inside and outside the trade. 'The 'castlecamp' offers the very best opportunity to form and cultivate new contacts', Eich explains. Treichl agrees and says he wants to take the opportunity of this 'unconference' to extend his already existing contacts. And 800-year-old Kaprun Castle certainly provides a fitting venue for that. 'Even at first sight, the 'castlecamp' is going to be one of the most beautiful 'barcamps' in the German-speaking area', Treichl is convinced. Accordingly, the two businessmen will surely not miss out on adorning their laptops with those 'castlecamp 2008' stickers this coming Sunday.

There is further information at www.castlecamp.at and presse.zellamsee-kaprun.com on the Internet.

The holiday region of Zell am See-Kaprun with its 14,000 beds and two million overnight stays per year is one of the most important holiday destinations in Austria. The beautiful flora and fauna in the Alpine panorama and Lake Zell guarantee relaxation and well-being. Golfing, hiking, and bathing are at the focus for the summer time programme, but visitors can choose from more than 40 other activities as well. During the cold season, fun on skis and boards make sure that there is no dull moment. Skiers can comfortably reach the 136 kilometres of slopes covered with powder snow by one of the 56 lifts. Snowboarders enjoy the perfect conditions of the Snowpark on the 2,600-metre-high glacier plateau. Even in the summer you can swish down the slopes here. And family-friendliness is a top priority in Zell am See and Kaprun. For this reason, the region has already received various awards.

Contact within the region
Guest Service Zell am See-Kaprun
Brucker Bundesstraße 1a
A-5700 Zell am See
Phone +43 (0)6542 - 770 0
welcome(at)zellamsee-kaprun.com
http://www.zellamsee-kaprun.com

Press contact
knoefler-journalist . media + communications GmbH
Mr. Benjamin Knöfler
Nordring 53-55
63843 Niedernberg
Phone +49 (0)6028 - 80729 0
zellkaprun(at)kj-media.com
http://www.knoefler-journalist.com

This release was published on openPR.