Sustainable tourism in the Észak-Alföld region

1. Sustainable tourism in the Észak-Alföld region Ilona Katona marketing director Hungarian National Tourist Office Northern Great Plain Regional Marketing Directorate 5000 Szolnok, Sóház út 8. I/1. Pf.: 330 Tel.:56/516-110, Fax:56/516-116 E-mail: rmiszolnok@itthon.hu Web: www.eszakalfoldi.hu

2. Észak-Alföld

3. Tourism Conception and Development Plan of the Észak-Alföld region Important element of the concept is sustainable development of tourism, which is based on the capabilities and facilities of the region, and the optimal use of them. Main aim: Sustainable development and competitiveness of the tourism of the Észak-Alföld region

4. Régiós célkitűzések Aims of the region • Forming and strengthening the image of the region • Increasing the reputation of the tourism products of the region • Flow of information among tourism suppliers, enterprises and other organizations • Consonance of marketing of enterprises and regional marketing • Development of supply by organizing professional meetings • Reduction of seasonality • Support of longer stays in the region • Support and coordination of product development • Providing information about calls for proposal and other financial sources

5. Tourism supply of the Észak-Alföld region • Main tourism product: Health tourism • 205 thermal well (25 % of thermal wells in Hungary) • Approximately 50 baths • (In 70 % of them: qualified medicinal water) • Significant development in the past few years, • regarding health tourism • Outstanding medical background • Comptetive price level • 4.200.000 guests in the baths in 2007

6. Tourism supply of the Észak-Alföld region • Natural values and capabilities Hortobágy – Part of World Heritage Nature Reserves River Tisza • Active tourism Cycling Horse riding Hunting Fishing

7. Tourism supply of the Észak-Alföld region • Cultural tourism Religious tourism Heritage Museums, exhibitions Folk traditions Festivals, events • Gastronomy • MICE

8. Overnight stays of foreign guests in the region between 1998-2008 Overnight stays of foreign guests in the region in 2008 (private accomondation): 137 790

9. Domestic overnight stays in the region between 1998-2008 Domestic overnight stays in the region in 2008 (private accomondation): 255 763

10. Overnight stays in all in the region between 1998-2008 Overnight stays in the region in 2008 (private accomondation): 393 553

11. 10 most important countries according to the number of overnight stays in 2009* * Előzetes adat (Preliminary)

12. Good practices for sustainable tourism in the Észak-Alföld region

13. Hortobágy, the land of Herdsmen • Important and unique venue for eco-tourism • Hortobágy National Park is the first (1973) and biggest National Park of Hungary • In December 1999 the UNESCO awarded the title „Part of World Heritage” to Hortobágy, as an outstanding example of nature and people living together • Complex supply: Presenting areas, teaching and presenting centre, guided tours, Animal Park, Bird Hospital, Shepherd’s Museum, authenthic „Csárda” • Other important participants: Hortobágy National Park, Hortobagy Non-profit Company for Nature Conservation and Gene Preservation, Máta Stud Farm, Oldlake Guest-House, Biocenter of Ohat

14. Hortobágy, the land of Herdsmen

15. Hortobágy, the land of Herdsmen European Destinations of Excellence „The best destination of Hungary, preserving living traditions” (2008) • Comptetive destination in Europe • Outstanding example of nature and people living together • Festivals, presenting the life of Herdsmen, the traditions, folk arts of the Puszta • Lay emphasis on social, environmental and cultural sustainability • Regional partnership www.hortobagy.eu

16. Szatmár-Bereg Plum Route • Complex tourism product • Unique supply, organized form • Qualified services, which meet the international requirements • The certain services are real tourism attractions in themselves too • Extensive partnership „little plum route” – 8 settlements „big plum route” – 16 settlements • Common marketing • Direction signs

17. What is exactly the Szatmár-Bereg Plum Route? • Presentation of tourist attractions of each settlements e.g. Churches of Tákos, Csaroda; so called „Lekvárium” in Penyige, water-mill in Túristvándi, special cemetary in Szatmárcseke, „Dry mill” in Tarpa, baths of Vásárosnamény etc. • Products made of plum – presentation of production, tasting and selling them e.g. „pálinka”, different kinds of food (5 members  Tarpa Natura Ltd., Tarpa Manufaktúra Ltd., Panyolai Szilvórium Ltd., Plum Thermal and Wellness Spa, Atlantika Aquapark) • Accommodation (8 members in Szatmár-Bereg) • Hospitality • Festivals

19. Szatmár-Bereg Nature Park • Complex regional development program • Priority: preserving natural values • Concentrates on solving problems regarding environmental protection • Supports sustainable agriculture • Involves eco-tourism • Extensive partnership on a territory of 103.802 hectares, with the cooperation of 67 settlements • Among the activities emphasis on education and environmental awareness

20. Szatmár-Bereg Nature Park Aims Sustainable development • Cooperation among settlements • Retainment of population in the area • Insuring equality • Coordinated operation of natural and artifical environment on a high quality

21. Thank you for your attention!Hungarian National Tourist OfficeNorthern Great Plain Regional Marketing DirectorateH-5001 Szolnok, Sóház u. 8. I/1.Tel.: +36-56/516-110, Fax: +36-56/516-116 E-mail: rmiszolnok@mtrt.com www.thermaltourism.hu