European Destination of Excellence Naturally Őrség Ferenc Márkus Director of Őrség Natural Park 7th October, 2008.

Content ▪The cooperating organizations ▪Background ▪The process of project ▪Why Őrség of all places? ▪Results, experiences ▪Plans, future ▪Conclusion

The Beginning ▪Hungary among the first countries participated in the EU Tourism Unit Call for Proposal ▪Co-operating between the State Secretariat for Tourism of the Ministry of Local Governement and the Implementing Agency, the Hungarian National Tourism Office in the EU application and in the implementation ▪EU support for 50% of the implementation costs, rest financed by the HNTO

National selection process ▪Start with wide national, regional and professional press information and regional workshop about the call for proposal ▪Apllication of 30 destinations ▪Expert evaluation according to the national selection criteria based on the EU tender criteria ▪Mistery shopping by tourism experts (visit at normal tourists) ▪Final conference for all participants for learning, networking and above all for selecting the winning destination by a prestigous jury representing the major and relevant tourism bodies ▪Marketing support to the winner from Hungarian National Tourism Office

Background

Why Őrség of all places? ▪Unique harmony of landscape ▪Abundance of natural and cultural values ▪Hospitality ▪Living traditions ▪Local people join forces

▪Sceptical mood at the begining: lack of confidence ▪Conciliation of interests ▪Networking ▪National success, 7 Miracles of Hungary ▪Introduction in Portugal, Algarve ▪Consciousness – snowball effect The process of project

The Cooperating organizations ▪Őrség National Park Directorate ▪Őrség Multipurpose Regional Union ▪Őrség-Vendvidék Naturpark Association ▪Őrség TeleHouse ▪Hungarian National Tourism Office ▪Association of Hospitality in Őrség and surroundings

Results - experiences ▪Extraordinary interest of the press ▪Increase of tourist traffic ▪Őrség as trade-name ▪Strong identity ▪Őrség National Park Directorate become independent ▪Higher quality of life, job creation ▪Neighbouring tourist destinations (Vendvidék, Muránia) become well-known as well ▪Programtourism gain strength ▪Aquaintance with winner destinations, experiences

Plans, future ▪Establish Tourist Destination Management ▪Common marketing strategy ▪Borderland union (Őrség, Goricko, Raab), common tourist demonstration zone

Conclusion ▪Build upon the European experiences ▪Importance of international connections ▪Openness, partnership, subsidiarity ▪Succes only by collaboration and conciliation of interests

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