Sustainable Tourism: Examples from a decade of UNDP development work in Croatia

EUROPEAN INTER-PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE Zagreb, September 11, 2014

United Nations Development Programme

• COAST project• GACKA project• PARCS project• Via Dinarica initiative

... but it is much beyond the projects, it all counts!

Common: integrated development

approach based on natural, cultural, economic, social resources and heriatage

... Integrated means opportunities and challenges at the same time!

In partnership with the 4 Dalmatian counties and the Ministry of the Environment and Nature Protection, we supported the

creation of 97 “green businesses” with a total value of

EUR 20 million

COAST

Green Business Support Programme: 97 beneficiaries – 67 agriculture, 21 tourism ...

Family Farm Frano Milina – Bire, Korčula: First organic vineyard with autochthonous varieties of Grk and Plavac Mali, upgrading existing tourist offer on family farm

Mrša family farm: Organic husbandry of autochthonous Buša cattle as base for premium price products

4.4 kilometers of scenic coastal trail along the St. Anthony’s Channel in Šibenik

With 60.000 EUR UNDP helped the county to prepare design and blueprints for 1.4 million EUR IPA to complete construction

The trail runs across a former closed military zone

Vis Adventure craft: Construction of traditional fishing boat Falkuša, eco-touristic offer based on Falkuša – big game fishing, Rota Palagruzona...

Ecomuseum Komiža : TERRA MARIQUE concept supported by UNDP

Green businesses in rural Dalmatia

• Integrated approach combining: – Job creation, sustainable livelihoods– Environmental protection, agri-environment– Cultivation of local traditions, landscapes

• 97 “green businesses” in four Dalmatian counties– Organic wine and olive production– Shellfish farming– Cultivation of autochthonous sorts and breeds– Agro- and nature tourism

• Diverse financial instruments (“green lending”), grants and mentoring (technical assistance)

• EUR 6.2 million of GEF grant invested over seven years with large multiplier effect

Local development

In Zadar County alone, we provided

certified training to 445 people in

fields like beekeeping, goat and

sheep breeding, cheese making,

and vegetable and fruit growing to help family farmers compete on the EU market

Zadar County Farmers’ Market sells only genuine local produce

Certified training for beekeepers in Zadar County

Combined different funds, sectors and partners:• Tourism infrastructure: bicycle trails, rent-a-

bike, rent-a-rod, brown signalisation, brochures, brand development

• Human resources development: trainings for local caterers; certification of guides

• Social infrastructure: elderly care home in Vrhovine, outdoor fitness facilities in Otočac

• Environment: “carstic fish & crayfish centre” visitors’ centre, awareness raising on water sources, crayfish breeding

GACKA Valley: integrated – “all in one” approach

Otočac: carstic fish & crayfish centre

Springs at the origin of the Gacka River

PARCS project “to go”

2014 - 2017:• Component 1: increase efficiency of

management, both institutional and financial

• Component 2: increase financial efficiency of the parks: – Improved quality of offer to visitors– Involvement of local communities and

produce– Better connectivity of all parks into one

but diverse quality “package of nature” from Croatia!

PARCS: $5 million GEF grant + co-fin total $23 million

Risnjak – renewable energy use

Via Dinarica Connecting naturally

Connect, harmonise offer and standards, brand, develop rural communities – people and nature together.

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Sustainable tourism is much more then just a niche in tourism market.

• Develops not only the sector but also local people and assets in a sustainable way

• 8-10.000 jobs potential in rural Dalmatia• Boosts (eco-)agriculture, fishing, nature protection• Keeps rural areas alive• Keeps the heritage• Smaller in scale, of a higher value• Income remains locally• Recognisable, genuine, unique brand• Smart specialisation for Croatia!?

Thank you!sandra.vlasic@undp.org