The region

Rhineland-Palatinate is a federal state within Germany and covers 19,846 km2, with approximately 4,050,000 inhabitants. The Menschel cluster covers the region around Bad Sobernheim, situated in the Nahe-Valley between Hunsrück and Pfälzer Wald.

The region is characterized by diverse beautiful landscapes, different geological and climatic conditions, forest, health resorts, agriculture and especially wine-growing.

The cluster focuses on economical and touristic partners as well as on the supply chain of the medical wellness & biohotel Menschels Vitalresort. Regional touristic offers in the naheland are health and wellbeing. Especially the Bad Sobernheim area is hallmarked by the alternative health sector with organic products, natural medicine (Felke, barefoot-path, Hildegard von Bingen), healing traditions and access to nature (Naturpark Soonwald-Nahe).

Cluster members

• Demeter vineyard Fuchs-Jacobus – a biodynamic winegrower
• Barefoot-path, Bad Sobernheim - the first an unique barefoot-path with a length of 3,5 km
• Regionalbündnis (federation of the region) Soonwald-Nahe – a regional development agency
• Menschels Vitalresort, Meddersheim – Bio-Hotel
• Paul Albrecht Energie- und Haustechnik – a company for installation of renewable energies
• Reuland-Apotheke – pharmacy
• Phönix – a wholesaler for organic products

Environmental Management with EMAS

In the period from March 2010 to March 2011 seven companies and organisations joined the EMAS cluster training to implement an environmental management. All together six workshops and two on-site visits took place.  In March 2011 the environmental management of all cluster members was successfully audited.

The best practice implemented in this vertical cluster is the integration of medical wellness combined with tourist offers, organic producers and regional environmental awareness -  elements  not strictly associated with tourism.