Strategic objective 2 of the DATOURWAY project:

Supporting social-economic background for tourism

Márton Lendvay

Sofia, 24th November 2011

I. Analysis

GDP per capita

I. Analysis

Unemployment rate

I. Analysis

Tertiary qualification

I. Analysis

Old age index

II. Strategic elements (SWOT)Strengths

• Improving educational level and skills• Diversification of local economies in several areas • Entrepreneurial drive• Organic-farming initiatives• Strong capital cities and regions, dynamic medium size cities• Development of advanced urban services• Growing interest in tourist development• Diversity of cross-border cooperative activities• Technological development of manufacturing • Respect and celebration of national, regional, local cultural

traditions and products

II. Strategic elements (SWOT)Weaknesses

• Substantial ratio of peripheral areas• Deprived rural areas; urban – rural dichotomy• Territorial disparities• Decline of population except in the suburban rings• Out-migration of educated young people• Inadequate language skills and skills for tourist services• Growing unemployment, long-term unemployment• Decline and closure of manufacturing industries• Poor housing conditions in deprived rural areas • Deprived areas dependent on subsistence farming or a single

manufacturing company• Environmental and social challenges in the urbanized areas, unstable

situation of small towns

II. Strategic elements (SWOT)Opportunities

• Broad opportunities for transnational cooperation• Forthcoming EU Strategy for the Danube Region• Increasing permeability of national borders• Spread of new, eco-friendly lifestyles • Social and cultural policies promoting equal opportunities• Increase of social responsibility of companies• Offer and demand of diverse, high quality local products: food,

drinks, crafts• Local developments (nature conservation, cycle routes) • Rewarding experience of successful initiatives• Mobilizing impact of flourishing tourism on local economies and

social behaviour

II. Strategic elements (SWOT)Threats

• Depopulation of some rural areas• Subsistence problems in off-season periods • Increasing East-West dichotomy at the European level• Growing transnational, regional and local disparities• Economic and social difficulties involving regional / ethnic

conflicts • Out-migration, emigration of young, educated groups• Difficulties in raising motivation of the elderly, rural population• Constraints on local, small scale developments in period of

economic crisis

III. DATOURWAY strategy

• Vision:Danube: the attractive and unique tourist region

• General objective:Building of a well known tourism brand for the Danube region by utilization of the tourism potential and strengthening the socio-economic, environmental and infrastructural background

3 strategic objectives:

1.Widely utilised tourism potential in the Danube Region

2.Supporting social-economic background for tourism

3.Strong environmental and infrastructural conditions for tourism

III. DATOURWAY strategy

Successfully developed tourism by strong social reception and

support, increasing economic basics

Social background & human resources

They have determining role in the internal connections and the cross border

developments of the area

IV. Social-economic aspect in DATOURWAY strategy

V. Strategic objective 2. Supporting social-economic background for tourism

Priorities 2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area

2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism

2.3. Human resources development in the Danube region

Measures

2.1.1. Coordinated development of tourism and local economy

2.2.1. Promoting of the border and cross border co-operations in tourism development

2.3.1. Tourism oriented and professional training programs for the local inhabitants in the region

2.1.2. Promoting the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism

2.2.2. Strengthening the co-operation among the Danube region settlements

2.3.2. Strengthening the local population’s environment awareness and catering ability

  2.2.3. Strengthening the civil networks in the region

2.3.3. Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region

V. Strategic objective 2. Supporting social-economic background for tourism

Priorities 2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area

2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism

2.3. Human resources development in the Danube region

Measures

2.1.1. Coordinated development of tourism and local economy

2.2.1. Promoting of the border and cross border co-operations in tourism development

2.3.1. Tourism oriented and professional training programs for the local inhabitants in the region

2.1.2. Promoting the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism

2.2.2. Strengthening the co-operation among the Danube region settlements

2.3.2. Strengthening the local population’s environment awareness and catering ability

  2.2.3. Strengthening the civil networks in the region

2.3.3. Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region

V. Strategic objective 2. Supporting social-economic background for tourism

Priorities

Measures

2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area

2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism

2.3. Human resources development in the Danube region

2.1.1. Coordinated development of tourism and local economy

2.2.1. Promoting of the border and cross border co-operations in tourism development

2.3.1. Tourism oriented and professional training programs (e.g. language courses) for the local inhabitants in the region

2.1.2. Promoting the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism

2.2.2. Strengthening the co-operation among the Danube region settlements

2.3.2. Strengthening the local population’s environment awareness and catering ability

  2.2.3. Strengthening the civil networks in the region

2.3.3. Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region

2.1.1. Coordinated development of tourism and local economy

2.1.2. Promoting the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism

2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area

V. Strategic objective 2. Supporting social-economic background for tourism

Priorities

Measures

2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area

2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism

2.3. Human resources development in the Danube region

2.1.1. Coordinated development of tourism and local economy

2.2.1. Promoting of the border and cross border co-operations in tourism development

2.3.1. Tourism oriented and professional training programs (e.g. language courses) for the local inhabitants in the region

2.1.2. Promoting the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism

2.2.2. Strengthening the co-operation among the Danube region settlements

2.3.2. Strengthening the local population’s environment awareness and catering ability

  2.2.3. Strengthening the civil networks in the region

2.3.3. Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region

2.2.1. Promoting of the border and cross border co-operations in tourism development

2.2.2. Strengthening the co-operation among the Danube region settlements

2.2.3. Strengthening the civil networks in the region

2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism

V. Strategic objective 2. Supporting social-economic background for tourism

Priorities

Measures

2.1.1. Coordinated development of tourism and local economy

2.2.1. Development of the border and cross border co-operations of tourism

2.3.1. Tourism oriented and professional trainings (e.g.language courses) for the local inhabitants in the region

2.1.2. Strengthening the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism

2.2.2. Strengthening the co-operation between the Danube region settlements

2.3.2. Strengthening the local population’s environment awareness and catering ability

  2.2.3. Strengthening the civil networks in the region

2.3.3. Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region

2.3.1. Tourism oriented and professional training programs for the local inhabitants in the region

2.3.2. Strengthening the local population’s environment awareness and catering ability

2.3.3. Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region

2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area

2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism

2.3. Human resources development in the Danube region

2.3. Human resources development in the Danube region

Priority 2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of

the DATOURWAY area

Local values & interference zones of locally based tourism development must be identified

• Interconnections of tourism and local economy, the economic fostering role of tourism

• Attractions based on traditional farming and product production activities for tourism

• Possible linkages of the private and public sphere in the spatial development of tourism

Measure 2.1.1. Coordinated development of tourism and local

economy

Connection between local economy and tourism needed – by connection of services of the tourism products

and programs organised for the local service providers

Creation of local product markets and the creation of their aligned system on the

frequent target areas of tourism

Measure 2.1.2. Promoting the local product generation and

sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism

Local products as “territorial” products can only be a real tourism attraction if they are marketable

Network of quality system & regional and spatial product brands should be created

Priority 2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion

by means of development of cultural tourism

Social environment is fundamental for tourism:

• Coordination • Cross-border activities • Spatial cohesion• Civil organizations • Networks

Measure 2.2.1. Promoting of the border and cross border co-

operations in tourism development

Some good examples already for joint utilization, harmonization, common management of development

• Common tourism products• Product packages• Ports for river tourism• Thematic routes

Measure 2.2.2. Strengthening the co-operation among the

DATOURWAY settlements

Cooperation in economy (and tourism)

• EGTCs (European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation, cooperation instrument at the community level with legal personality)

• Joint investments, tenders, common institutions & events

Measure 2.2.3. Strengthening the civil networks in the region

Local support is needed – through NGOs

Civil organizations need information

itinerary - common forums - joint actions

Priority 2.3. Human resources development of the

DATOURWAY area

Era of knowledge based society, human resource development, education, training and lifelong learning

Development & management of Human Resources needed in a wide perspective and its tourism aspects

Measure 2.3.1. Tourism oriented and professional training programs for the tourism sector and local

inhabitants

Multi-level training to satisfy the needs of tourism industry

• Contribution of higher education» Hospitality, geography, languages etc.

• Vocational training» Cook, waiter, sommelier etc.

• Special programs » Tourist guides, animators

+ infrastructure required

Measure 2.3.2. Strengthening the local population’s

environmental awareness

Regional tourism development can be effectively supported by strengthening local patriotism and transfer of relevant knowledge on environment and tourism

Organization of forums, events, education,presentations for environmental awareness

Measure 2.3.3. Networking of the middle and high level tourism educational/training institutions

Adequate quality of tourism ensured by the harmonized cooperation of training institutions

Common research, knowledge transfer, mobility programs, professional forums, publications…

VI. Summary Strategic objective 2. „Supporting social-

economic background for tourism” in DATOURWAY strategy

Priorities 2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area

2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism

2.3. Human resources development in the Danube region

Measures 2.1.1. Coordinated development of tourism and local economy

2.2.1. Promoting of the border and cross border co-operations in tourism development

2.3.1. Tourism oriented and professional training programs for the local inhabitants in the region

2.1.2. Promoting the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism

2.2.2. Strengthening the co-operation among the Danube region settlements

2.3.2. Strengthening the local population’s environment awareness and catering ability

  2.2.3. Strengthening the civil networks in the region

2.3.3. Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region

Márton LendvayScientific Association for Spatial Development

marton.lendvay@hazairt.huwww.tfte.hu