Transnational Strategies for Danube Tourism: DATOURWAY Project Findings

1. Outputs of WP4 DATOURWAY project István Talabos ERDF PP2 Scientific Association for Spatial Development Closure Conference, Šamorin, Slovakia 1st February 2012

2. WP4 in DATOURWAY project • I. DATOURWAY Transnational strategy • II. Policy and Cross Border Recommendations based on the Strategy • III. Investment Guidebook

3. I. DATOURWAY Transnational strategy • The most important output of DATOURWAY project • Elaborated by project partners between September 2010 – November 2011 • Publication at the DATOURWAY Closure Conference

4. I. DATOURWAY Transnational strategy Vision: Danube: the attractive and unique tourist region General objective: Building of a well known tourism brand for theDanube region by utilization of the tourism potential and strengthening the socio-economic, environmental and infrastructural background Pyramid of objectives

5. I. DATOURWAY Transnational strategy Measures of the strategy elaborated: • Justification • Description of the measure • Examples of projects • Connections • Indicators • Stakeholders

6. II. Policy and Cross Border Recommendations • Final outcome of the strategy: • Policy recommendations addressed to the decision-makers – our major goal • The policy recommendations of DATOURWAY project are forwarded to the ministries governmental institutions in charge in each country by project partners for consideration

7. II. Policy and Cross Border Recommendations • General policy recommendations • 30 policy recommendationsfor all transnational area • Some of the most important points: • Utilization of the water potential for transport • Use the cultural heritage of rural areas – develop a networking platformfor the relevant stakeholders • Promotion and utilization oflocal products • Promotion of spot points for tourism development in rural areas – near to the Danube • Promoting a visual identity and brandfor Danube products

8. II. Policy and Cross Border Recommendations • Improvment of theimage of the cities – urban regeneration of the central areas, public spaces, reconversion of industrial and military sites in lands for tourism development • Rehabilitation of the Danube ports and making them attractive • Developing connected green-ways in the Danube area, according with its potential for social/economical/ environmental development • Introduction of the Danube holiday voucher • Increasing the necessary infrastructure (health care, accomodation) • Support the Danube area development through funds from Regional Development Program and from Territorial Cooperation Programs – reserve a budget from every axis for project from Danube area

9. II. Policy and Cross Border Recommendations • Policy recommendations for specific cross-border areas • For Cross-border area Slovakia-Hungary • Common development of the community transport • Increasing of the sources for the developmentof small villages • Supplying main attractions at state level (utilizing industrial history in, revealing castle ruins, building the network of guest houses etc.) • For Cross-border area Hungary-Croatia-Serbia • Correlate the thematic routes in cross-border area Hungary-Serbia-Croatia • Use the ecotourism and tourism products connected to nature • Common qualification system for accomodation • Construction of small marinas on the Danube

10. II. Policy and Cross Border Recommendations • For Cross-border area Romania-Bulgaria • Develop partnerships between twin cities along the Danube Course: Calafat - Vidin, Bechet - Oreahovo etc. for tourism • Build major transport infrastructure– highways, fast railways, new bridges as a necessary condition in overcoming the peripheral situation • Create a green-way route and support its necessitates in Calarasi county (on Mostistea river) and in Silistra and Razgrad districts • Increase the urban regeneration – rehabilitation of the cities centers • Arrange the Danube banks for tourism development • For Delta area • Increase the activities in Delta – make it more attractive for women • Increase the knowledge of the Delta – the tourism conditions • Protect the natural and cultural heritage • Increase the living conditions for inhabitants • Sustain the redevelopment of Sulina city • High quality design of mini-ports

11. III. Investment Guidebook • Three major chapters: • Foreign investment trends per countries • Tourism profile of the counties • Project proposals for each country

12. III/1. Foreign investment trends per countries • For each country: • Introductions – foreign investment trends • General business regulations • Characteristics by counties

13. III/2. Tourism profile of the counties • All 6 countries of the DATOURWAY area are described in the same structure from the point of view of: • tourism industry, • attractions, • destinations, • and tourism products

14. III/3. Project proposals for each country Project fiches: • project name • location • description • potential stakeholders • contact persons • estimated budget • other relevant information

15. István Talabos Scientific Association for Spatial Development bridging@t-online.hu www.spatialplan.hu