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Portrait of the South Transdanubian Region from the aspect of the WaterTour project. Gusztáv Csomor Project Manager South Transdanubian Regional Development Agency WaterTour – I. International meeting Greifswald, 03 November 2004. The South Transdanubian Region. 14 169 km 2
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Portrait of the South Transdanubian Region from the aspect of the WaterTour project Gusztáv Csomor Project Manager South Transdanubian Regional Development Agency WaterTour – I. International meeting Greifswald, 03 November 2004.
The South Transdanubian Region • 14 169 km2 • 984 000 inhabitants • 70 inhabitant/km2 • counties: Baranya, Somogy, Tolna • Main cities: Pécs, Kaposvár, Szekszárd • 654 settlements – (50% with less than 500 inhabitants)
Geography of SouthTransdanubia • Varied configuration of territory – mountains, hills, plains, bordered by lakes and rivers • Continental climate with mild winters – 600-800 mm precipitation, sub-Mediterranean influence • Diverse nature according to geographical features – forests cover 23% of territory, habitat of many protected plant and animal species, 3% of territory protected by National Parks
Economy of South Transdanubia • 4 850 EUR GDP / head (43% of EU 25) • Low value added of production • Poor value of FDI • Industry 32% of GDP - Few large industrial companies, under-developed manufacturing • Agriculture 8% of GDP – good potentials, 61% of territory cultivated, crops and viticulture • Services 60% of GDP – growing importance, tourism 3% of GDP • Disadvantageous accessibility (transport infrastructure) • High ratio of depressed sub-regions
Tourism ofSouth Transdanubia • Good potentials with diverse natural and cultural attractions • Tourist activities extremely concentrated on few areas: • Resorts of Lake Balaton • City of Pécs with UNESCO World Heritage area • Harkány spa and neighbourhood • High seasonality • Few high-quality accommodation facilities • Potentials in tourism product development: • Wellness, thermal • Cultural • Wine and rural • Hunting • Eco-tourism with cycling, horse riding, angling • Water tourism
Water tourism ofSouth Transdanubia Water tourism areas: Lake Balaton – mass tourism Danube, Sió and Dráva Rivers – less developed • WaterTour project part focuses on River Dráva • Territorial focus is needed for the project • River Dráva has specific characteristics and potentials • Area needs assistance on regional development • Gained results and experiences can be transferred to the other areas
Features of River Dráva • Border river (with Croatia – 160 km) • Socio-economically depressed, peripheral area • Virtually uncontrolled runway, unspoilt nature • Part of the Danube-Dráva National Park • Activities on river determined by National Park and border guard authorities • Restrictions on visiting: • Periodical – from 1st June till 31st October • Territorial – designated landing/resting sites • Number of visitors 1200 – 2000 / year (paddling) • Type of water tourism: • Paddling • Small motor-boat
Strengths and weaknesses of Dráva River water tourism • STRENGTHS • Specific characteristics and potentials for tourism development • Relatively unspoiled nature • Rich wildlife • Rich local culture • Potentials for linking tourism elements: • Sites for eco-tourism • Local culture, traditions • Angling • Cycling, horse riding, • Hunting • Wine routes • Wellness tourism • WEAKNESSES • Restrictions on activities along the river • Difficulties of co-operation with Croatian side • Difficulties of accessibility • Few, low quality services at landing-stages • Few existing complex tourism packages • Few quality accommodations • Low level of co-operation among stakeholders • Scattered, poor quality marketing tools • No integrated tourism management
Objectivesof Hungarian part of WaterTour project • Balance of developing attractive, quality based water tourism and preserving the natural treasures of the River Dráva • Establish and maintain co-operation among regional stakeholders on • Tourism product development • Quality service development • Co-ordination of marketing activities • Gaining international experience and know-how on water tourism development and management • Establish co-operations among tourism organisations of international partners
Initial activities within WaterTour project • Developing time and activity plan for 2004 • Contacting regional partners • Press release on project • Project opening - I. Regional meeting • Definition of group of stakeholders to be involved in project development • Collecting • Existing analysing documents on Dráva tourism • Existing marketing tools, materials • Contracting auditor • report on preparation phase
Contacts on Hungarian project partner South Transdanubian Regional Development Agency Gusztáv Csomor Project Manager H-7621 Pécs, Tímár u. 23. • Phone: +36 72 513 734 • Fax: +36 72 513 768 • e-mail: csomorg@ddrft.hu • web: www.ddrft.hu