INNO-FOREST 2007 IP INNO FOREST, 30 August 2007, Sopron Carmen Nastase Recreational innovations

INNO-FOREST 2007 About me

INNO-FOREST 2007 Definition: A pleasant, enjoyable and often refreshing activity done in one's spare time. amusement, entertainment, sport, pastime, play, leisure activity, diversion, hobby, distraction, relaxation. ………

INNO-FOREST 2007

Importance Greater institutional support is needed for the development of forest related recreation services because the field is at the beginning of its development. It is concluded that support should focus on providing ideas and financial resources for product development and on facilitating cross- sectoral interaction between forestry and tourism actors.

INNO-FOREST 2007 The development of new recreation services are offered on forest land or by forest landowners is attracting increasing interest throughout Europe by policy-markers, land managers and researches.

INNO-FOREST 2007 Innovation versus recreation Innovation generally denotes the introduction of novelties in an enterprise, or on the market. Innovation in the recreation services has been a topic of growing interest among researchers and policy makes.

INNO-FOREST 2007 Recreational innovations New market, new destinations New services offered New organizational

INNO-FOREST 2007 Characteristics of the recreational services

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Nature

INNO-FOREST 2007 Religious tourism

INNO-FOREST 2007 Carpet weaving and spun Sheep breeding Ethnographic museum Winter folk custom Cultural tourism

INNO-FOREST 2007 Task: Please name a new recreation services in your country ?

INNO-FOREST 2007 Recreational services includes: Nature or environmental education Recreational park Sports Hunting Fishing Berry and mushroom collection

INNO-FOREST 2007 Horse riding “Nature observation” River rafting Climb hobby North tracking sky tour Junior ranger camp Recreation activities

INNO-FOREST 2007 These activities are offered: - by public institution (often without user charge); - private actors

INNO-FOREST 2007 Studies in a many countries demonstrate that the tourism sector and recreational services is dominated by micro and small enterprises.

INNO-FOREST 2007 The opportunity for public and private actors to create jobs and income in rural areas through recreation services is receiving growing awareness.

INNO-FOREST 2007 Tourism is one of the sectors of the European economy with the best outlook. Forecasts indicate a steady growth of tourism in Europe, stronger than the average economic growth. Europe, with the greatest diversity and density of tourist attractions, is the most visited tourist region in the world.

INNO-FOREST 2007 Recommendations Enterprise level: - Be open towards new societal demands - Get in contact with potential clients - Seek cooperation with other sector actors Policy level: - Provide information on potential new markets - Support contacts with other sectors (clients) - Support innovation projects.

INNO-FOREST 2007 The role of innovations for forest related services Innovation depend on various actors and their interactions. The development of innovations often takes place not in established innovation systems but in new networks. Particularly forest-related services are developed in cross-sectoral networks.

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In summary Recreational services offerings are of considerable importance, and to date have not been extensively exploited in the majority of countries. There remains a critical tension between, on the one hand, conservation, and on the other, increased tourism development which brings with it intrusion and potential degradation. There is a major dilemma in achieving a balance between conservation and the drive to increase foreign exchange revenue.

INNO-FOREST 2007 Lack of comprehensive innovation policies in the forest sector. Lack of interactions of the forestry actors with national innovation system actors. Lack of interactions with actors from sectors where relevant innovations are occurring, very often being non-timber demands (e.g. tourism, nature conservation).

INNO-FOREST 2007 Thank you for your attention! !