THE PROPOSAL ON EDUCATIONAL THEME PARK FOR LOCAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

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1 THE PROPOSAL ON EDUCATIONAL THEME PARK FOR LOCAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT Dana Tometzová 1), Barbara Hlavňová 2), Pavol Rybár 3) 1) Department of Geo and Mining tourism, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnology, Technical University of Košice, Boženy Němcovej 32, Košice, Slovakia, phone: ) 2) Department of Geo and Mining tourism, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnology, Technical University of Košice, Boženy Němcovej 32, Košice, Slovakia, phone: ) Department of Geo and Mining tourism, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnology, Technical University of Košice, Boženy Němcovej 32, Košice, Slovakia, phone: Abstract: The aim of this paper is to provide new opportunities of geotourism development in areas that are very attractive from the tourist point of view but their infrastructure and superstructure is not developed yet. The paper contained a proposal to create an educational and amusement theme park along with a description of its spatial and functional use. Visualization of theme park was created by using SketchUp application, in the same way was created also video visualization. The proposal consists of 3D projection hall, playground, exhibition of prehistoric animals, mining exposition and a thermal pool that includes indoor and outdoor section. Proposed educational theme park is designed to improve the local tourism market and stimulate further economic development. Key words: geotourism, Spiš region, theme park, educational park, tourism development 1 INTRODUCTION There are many different kind of definitions of theme, amusement and educational park. According to D.C. Raluca theme parks can be defined as a subset of visitor attractions. Visitor attractions are described as permanent resources which are designed, controlled and managed for the enjoyment, amusement, entertainment, and education of the visiting public. To these attractions for visitors belongs: ancient monuments; historic buildings; parks and gardens; theme parks; wildlife attractions; indoor and outdoor museums; art galleries; industrial archeology sites; themed retail sites; amusement and leisure parks [1]. Another definition characterized theme park as a social artwork designed as a four-dimensional symbolic landscape, evoking impressions of places and times, real and imaginary [2]. Theme park should be an amusement park in which the structures, background and surroundings are focused on a central theme. Continuing with this topic, Pearce described theme parks as examples of tourist attractions, which are based on a high development, an intensive capital and a user-orientation of man-modified recreational environments [3]. Few authors dedicated their attention to theme parks and their contribution to the social and economic 139

2 sustainability of destinations [4]. Wyson A. and Wyson P. regarded as a theme park a major arena formed on the basic of technology, culture and history [5]. By using modern technology could be created sound and light effects that stimulate visitor s fantasy and imagination. Theme parks can have educational value for students and teachers when these cultural sites within the range of visual culture are understood as sites of experiential learning and as processes of mediation between visitors and park designers [6]. Following the historical context, it is possible to distinguish three types of theme parks: a) reconstructed and rebuilt old amusement parks; b) newly built theme parks - commercial leisure centers, specially designed by large companies which are oriented to mass tourism; c) the historical parks and external museums or certain types of museum, whose main objective is the preservation and protection of cultural traditions and heritage, as well as public education [7]. The proposal of a theme park in this paper could be considered as a certain type of a modern prehistoric museum with its indoor and outdoor exposition, which could serve for an educational purpose with the use of various amusing elements and recreational facilities. 2 CASE STUDY OF LOWER SPIŠ Region of Lower Spiš is attractive because of its mining history, cultural monuments, natural sites and thermal and mineral springs located in this territory. This region statistically significant in the past more traffic than it is today. Tourists were attracted mainly by baths and spa facilities, but nowadays secondary offer in this region largely absenting, or it is outdated. Spa buildings were nationalized, some of recreational centers and facilities were redempted to the private sector, without an interest in renovation and its further using. It is therefore our intention to provide proposals for the implementation of the theme park, which should ensure a greater flow of tourists into the area. The main attraction for tourists in this area is National Park Slovak Paradise [8,9]. In order to make theme park more attractive for domestic and foreign tourists, it was drafted proposal to create a 3D projection hall, where tourists could watch 3D documentary movies connected to the area of Lower Spiš with exhibition of prehistoric animals and mining exposition. But the part of the theme park would be thermal pool in Letanovce as well. To zoom in the design of theme park it was developed visualization with using of 3D modeling program SketchUp, which shows the different parts of a theme park with its attractions [10]. 3 THE PROPOSAL OF THE EDUCATIONAL THEME PARK The proposed theme educational park is situated in former roma settlement in Letanovský Mlyn with an area about 4,68 ha ( the longest length is 382 m and the largest width is 217 m) [11]. The theme park would be adapted to the average daily attendance of 1000 people. The advantage of theme park would be its location, as it is situated near National Park Slovak Paradise, which has a seasonal summer attendance about tourists [12]. Construction of the park is proposed just 3 km from thermal borehole in Arnutovce and 1 km far from drill in Letanovce. From the town Spišská Nová Ves is Letanovský Mlyn 9 km far [13,14]. 140

3 Research Journal of Mining Volume 1 (2017) Issue 3 Pages Fig. 1 Theme park complex in Letanovský Mlyn [10,15]. Proposal of theme park area (Fig. 1) forms: 3D projection hall (Fig. 2), which will include 3D cinema, foyer, reception, gift shop, cafe, toilets, room for projection, conference and lecture room, and room for HVAC control system of this hall. The dimensions of the proposd single-storey hall are 38,80 x 37,80 m. Building is 9,5 m high. The seating capacity of proposed 3D cinema is 55 seats. Whole projection hall and front row in cinema are wheelchair accessible. The proposed conference/lecture hall has 59 seats. Capacity of cafe is 30 seats and 8 seats at the bar counter. 3D cinema (Fig.3) could included 3D simulation rides which is the combination of stereoscopic cinema and active participation of visitors (moving seats), the movements are adjusted to type of projected movie. Parking with proposed capacity is 30 spaces for cars, 2 spaces for disabled and 2 spaces for buses. The proposed parking is 60,50 m long and 21 m wide. Playground, formed by outdoor wooden set up, would consist of swings, slides, climbing wall, climbing frames, chain trail and playhouses. Playground will meet safety requirements and standards relating to installation, inspection, maintenance and operation according to Slovak Technical Standards (STN EN 1176 Playground equipment and STN EN 1177 The surface of the playground), which have been set by European Union. Dimensions of the proposed playground are 105 x 43 m. Information boards, proposed number of boards in area is 10. Dimensions of the boards are 1,22 x 0,915 m and arbor with proposed dimensions of 8 x 5 meters. Fig. 2 Proposal of 3D projection hall [10,15] 141

4 Fig. 3 Proposal of 3D cinema [10,15] Exhibition of prehistoric animals which would be set up primarily of cave bears, bear dog, false saber-toothed cats (Nimravidae, Sansanosmilus, Homotherium, Meganereon). Visitors would be able to see up close 10 different statues of life-sized prehistoric animals that had territory in the area of Lower Spiš. Many million year old remains of mentioned beasts were found in Spišská Nová Ves and its surrounding [16,17]. Thermal pool in Letanovce proposal for the construction of two-storey building (1 above ground and 1 underground floor), is based on visualization, which was made for village Vlachovo, but the project was still not implemented (Fig. 4 and 5). Fig. 4 Defined area for the construction of the thermal park in Letanovce (just 1 km from proposed educational theme park) [15] 142

5 The proposed building consist of pool hall with two indoor pools with exits to outdoor pool, drink bar, space for technical pool equipment, ventilation machine room and electrical power machine room. Part of an outdoor swimming pool would be slide tower with six slides. Proposed year-round outdoor pool has atypical form with dimensions of 40 x 25 m and with depth ranging from 1,0 to 1,7 m. Near the outdoor pool would be located sport area (volleyball court and place for playing petanque) and food stalls. In proposed area is also children s swimming pool with dimensions of 12 x 6 m and with a depth from 0,1 m to 0,5 m. Reception building with gym, changing rooms, lockers and toilets would be close to children s pool. Inside of proposed receptional building is indoor swimming pool with magnesium salt (40 x 30 m, with a depth about 1,8 m ). In addition, the proposed thermal pool area consists of 14 small bungalows to accommodate guests. The thermal pool area includes also parking place with measures 50 x 30 m. Proposed number of parking spaces is 50 for cars, 5 spaces for disabled and 3 spaces for buses. One parking space for car has dimensions 500 x 260 cm, 1800 x 500 cm for buses and parking space for disabled has dimensions 500 x 350 cm. Fig. 5 Proposal of thermal park in Letanovce (Compiled by M. Zvara) [18] 4 CONCLUSION Within the tourism sector it is characteristic for the Lower Spiš underrated investment, but also a low degree of cooperation between key players in tourism. Collected tourism statistics are pointing out on the long-term stagnation and lack of development of tourism in the area of interest. In the medium term horizon, the Lower Spiš has national importance and in the longterm horizon it has a international importance. Of the various types, domestic tourism is the most prevalent. It is therefore convenient to focus attention not only for domestic visitors, but also try to gain attention of foreign clientele. Emphasis should be given to tourists from Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany and the Netherlands, who are interested in 143

6 exploring the study region. The offer of Lower Spiš should be adapted to the requirements of foreign and domestic visitors, and must know an effective way to respond to the competition. The aim of the presented paper is to depict some proposals that will serve to expand tourism industry and stimulate economic growth through increased visit rate. Among marvellous natural and cultural gems there are not available some modern or interactive destination attractions in the area of Lower Spiš. The proposed educational and amusement park can draw out-of-town travelers and enhance the Lower Spiš area status as a geotourist location. Other possibility how to attract tourists to this area is the use of geothermal energy for recreational purposes. The biggest obstacle in effective utilization of geothermal energy are property rights and ownerships. Geothermal potential of Lower Spiš could be used not only to heat individual villages, but also for the development of tourism in the region. Building a theme park, a 3D hall or thermal resort would increase visits of southern Spiš widely. The main reason for the malfunctioning and decay of spas in Spiš is that the estates are privately owned. If these objects were owned by municipalities, the idea of building up a water world and spa restort could be much more real. REFERENCES [1] RALUCA, D.C. - GINA, S Theme park: the main concept of tourism industry development. [online] [cit ]. Available at: < [2] BROWNE, R.B. BROWNE, P Guide to United States popular culture. OH: Bowling Green State University Popular Press, s. [3] PEARCE, P.L The Ulysses Factor: Evaluating Visitors in Tourist Settings. New York: SpringerVerlag. In Kemperman [4] MILMAN, A. - OKUMUS, F. - DICKSON, D The contribution of theme parks and attractions to the social and economic sustainability of destinations. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, s. [5] WYLSON, A. - WYLSON, P Theme Park, Leisure Centres, Zoos and Aquaria. Textbook. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Inc. New York. In Yeh [online] [cit ]. Available at: < [6] JEFFERS, C.S In a Cultural Vortex: Theme Parks, Experience, and Opportunities for Art Education. Studies in Art Education, 45(3), s. [7] KEMPERMAN, A Temporal aspects of theme park choice behavior: modeling variety seeking, seasonality and diversification to support theme park planning. Eidhoven: University of Technology, s. [8] MAJTNEROVÁ, J. - ČURIOVÁ, H Minerálne a termálne pramene východného Slovenska. Košice: Štátna vedecká knižnica, s. ISBN [9] MAKARA, I Okres Spišská Nová Ves. Bratislava: BAMBOW, s. ISBN [10] Google SketchUp [Computer software] Retrieved July 3, 2017 from [11] LACIKA, J Poznávame Slovensko: Spiš. Bratislava: DAJAMA, s. ISBN

7 [12] HUSÁR, M. - KACSMARÍKOVÁ, A Stratégia rozvoja vidieka subregiónu Národného parku Slovenský raj. Košice: KSK, s. [13] JUHÁS, L Čistá pramenitá voda liečila oddávna. Korzár. Retrieved September 10, 2017 from [14] KARASOVÁ, E Termálne pramene na Spiši nik nevyužíva. Novoveský korzár. Retrieved September 10, 2017, from [15] TOMETZOVÁ, D Rozvoj geoturizmu na Dolnom Spiši (Unpublished doctoral dissertation thesis). Faculty of mining, ecology, process control and geotechnology, Technical Unversity Košice. 56 s. [16] HUŇA, Ľ CHKO Slovenský raj. Bratislava: Príroda, s. ISBN [17] JIROUŠEK, L Spiš perla Slovenska. Spišská Nová Ves: LUBAFOTOPRES, s. ISBN [18] ZVARA, M. - ZVARA, R. - MITROVÁ, V Projekt rekonštrukcie kúpaliska v obci Vlachovo. Unpublished manuscript. 145