PROMOTION OF SOFT TOURISM IN THE REGION OF PODRAVINA

Final report (abstract)

The continental region of Podravina (Croatia), characterized by the border river of Drava and the parallel running chain of hills of the Bilogora, offers superb landscape qualities for the development of “green tourism. Our project included consulting activities in the private and public sector by joint planning and evaluation of tourist measures in this ecologically relevant environment, respecting also a thesis presented in the year 2002 at the University of Applied Sciences, Department of Spatial Planning, at Rapperswil, Switzerland, which was related to the development of soft tourism in the mentioned region.

The challenge was to transfer Swiss know-how into a practical development of that area. The concrete results of the project where developed step by step at working seminars and discussions, thus leading to a high acceptance among the participants. From the beginning our Croatian partners emphasized the idea of an eco-tourist zone along the river Drava (DETZ). This vision is based on the project of an international biosphere reserve which was suggested by the organisation „Euronatur“ and includes the protection of the precious landscape. In order to maintain its tourist potential, the DETZ has to include the hilly areas of the Bilogora into a comprehensive marketing strategy. Therefore it will be necessary to consider border-crossing planning, which has not been established till now in the region.

The inventory and analysis of the area was undertaken in several phases by a joint Swiss-Croatian working group and each member was responsible for one out of three observation sectors. An observation grid included different issues, such as viability, settlements, infrastructure, tourist points of interest, key persons etc.

Concerning the state of the local tourist infrastructure, the analysis was based on five issues: The access to information, the viability of tourist destinations, accommodation and catering, specific tourist infrastructure, accompanying services. The assessment of infrastructure is of special significance for the implementation of the idea of a DETZ, as well as for the determination of future priorities of development.

The described works led us to a better understanding of the numerous problems of a country in transition, which is on its way to articulate itself in planning and economic matters. Furthermore discussions with important individuals and institutions have led to important impulses and activities among the regional authorities and stake holders.

During our field works we also made contact to neighbouring Hungary and checked new ways of border-crossing cooperation, - a crucial task considering the global character of environmental issues and the fact that Croatia applies as candidate for the European Union.

Furthermore the already existing contact with the University of Zagreb has been developed and deepened, leading to a bilateral exchange of know-how between the involved Universities. A joint summer-camp for students of the Faculty of Architecture at Zagreb and our students at the Department of Spatial Planning will be organized in the year 2005. There have also been first meetings with the University of Veszrprem, offsite-campus in Nagykaizsa, Hungary. We believe all these contacts will be essential for the establishing of a future partner-region for the HSR, enabling the realisation of different studies and projects.

From the beginning our project was planned as a two-phase project. During the first phase - with rather preliminary character - the relevant potentials of the region had to be identified, whereas the second phase will initiate various projects which even could be presented as tourist products on the market.

Promotion of soft tourism in the region of Podravina, Croatia (Phase 2)

The continental region of Podravina, characterized by the border river of Drava and the parallel running chain of hills of the Bilogora, offers superb landscape qualities for the development of “green tourism”. After having identified in the first phase the ecological and tourist potentials in the region, we are about to actualise the corresponding and practical implementation. The principal aim is to help the politically young communities situated alongside the river Drava to articulate their spatial and economic development plans. Furthermore the local small and medium sized enterprises shall be acquainted with the possibility of creating new products and jobs.

Within the frame of a seminar – organized by our project - the local authorities and private entrepreneurs shall be informed of the new activities and trends concerning eco-tourism. The discussion of recent plans and visions of the participants shall lead to an intensification of public-private partnership. The organisation of this kind of mutual exchange must be pushed forward in future.

Case studies will be elaborated in collaboration with two private partners: a bicycle shop owner and a farmer’s family. Solutions shall be worked out for concrete products, like organising bicycle tours, hiring of bikes, specific map designs, farmhouse accommodation etc. These products should be implemented as pilot-offers in a following phase, testing thereby the market. Based on practical examples the regional potential for eco-tourist products has to be pointed out. The interesting possibilities of creating additional revenues has to be demonstrated to the local inhabitants. That way the local authorities will also pay attention to the mentioned potentials and the protection of the Drava-Landscape, which is of great importance for achieving a tourist development, (will be actualised). Furthermore the position of our partner organisation (the regional NGO “Drava Liga”) will be strengthened and by this way sustainable development and protection of nature and landscape will be supported too.

The good relations which have been started with the University of Zagreb shall be deepened and developed. A joint Summer Camp in July 2005 will take place in Koprivnica, bringing together students from both Universities in Rapperswil and the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Zagreb. Professors and students of both Universities will discuss recent issues on sustainable tourism in rural Croatia (Region of Podravina) and elaborate suitable proposals. The planning authorities of the district will also assist them during their work. This cooperation between academic institutions and private entrepreneurs will stimulate both the applied research on eco-tourism as well as the tourist activities in the region by realising initial projects for small and medium sized enterprises.

Finally it has to be pointed out, that the previous project works in the Region of Podravina have revealed the manifold problems of a country in transition and will lead to activities developing the actual situation. The so far realised cooperation and the gained competences will be a valuable basis for the establishment of a future and long-term HSR-partner-region. Considering the global character of ecological issues and the economic integration of neighbouring countries (Hungary as full member of the European Union and Croatia as candidate), future research works will have to include the Hungarian side of River Drava as well.

HSR Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil
Abteilung Raumplanung
Prof. Thomas Matta
Oberseestr. 10
8640 Rapperswil
mail: tmatta@hsr.ch


Prof. Dr. Vesna Mikic
Arhitektonski fakultet
Kaciceva 26
HR-100000 Zagreb