DSTNCMPPremium Partner
UPPER BLACK FOREST TOURISM
"WAIT A SEC!"
We’ve all been there: You see an impressively well-tended cottage garden and would love to know what’s growing there. Or maybe you’re not sure which way to go to reach your destination. If you pull out your smartphone at that moment, you’ve already missed out on a lot—at least in the High Black Forest, and especially if you don’t know what “Schellsch halt mol” means.
"Schellsch halt mol!" is the Alemannic phrase meaning "Just ring the bell." The sign is appearing on more and more stores and private homes in the Black Forest vacation region. It’s essentially an invitation to an authentic encounter. Visitors get answers to their questions and first-hand tips from the locals.
According to the jury, the initiative brings together various approaches and stakeholders in the tourism sector. It has a human touch, is regional, and is deeply rooted in the local community; it fosters a sense of closeness in tourism and deliberately breaks down big ideas into the small realities on the ground, sets aside concerns, and inspires volunteers.
In a world increasingly shaped by digital technologies such as AI and virtual worlds, this initiative offers real encounters with real people—right there on the spot. This makes a vacation in the Upper Black Forest not just a digital experience, but above all a personal and authentic one.
THIS IS WHAT THE JURY IN DÜSSELDORF PARTICULARLY LIKED
- A project promoting genuine encounters in an increasingly digital world; it fosters a sense of closeness in tourism
- Encounters with Black Forest locals are a highlight for guests
Guests are taken on a tour of the region's hidden gems