PROMOTION OF SOFT TOURISM IN THE REGION OF PODRAVINA

Final report (phase 2)
Summary

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 have updated the corresponding and practical implementation. The principal aim was 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 have been acquainted with the possibility of creating new products and jobs.

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

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

The good relations which have been initiated with the University of Zagreb have been deepened and developed. A joint Summer Camp in July 2005 took place in the town of 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 discussed current issues on sustainable tourism in rural Croatia (Region of Podravina) and have elaborated suitable proposals. The cooperation between academic institutions, local and regional authorities and private entrepreneurs will stimulate both the applied research on eco-tourism as well as the tourist activities in the region by creating initial projects for small and medium sized enterprises.

Finally it has to be emphasized, 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 improving the actual situation. The cooperation realised to date and the competences gained 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 the River Drava as well.

Project Partners

HSR
University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil www.hsr.ch
Department of Spatial Planning
Prof. Thomas R. Matta, tmatta@hsr.ch (contact)
lic.iur. Boris Madjeric, bomadjeric@gmx.ch

IRAP
Institute for Spatial Development www.irap.ch

University of Zagreb, Croatia
Faculty of Architecture
Prof. Dr. Vesna Mikic