Santa Via Romea On the traces of European Saints Pilgrimage Corridor from Poland to Italy International Project proposal, Ernst Leitner, Nitra, October 11, 2016
Non-stop corridor Objective: Definition of a non-stop corridor of pilgrimage from Poland to Italy on the basis of existing routes No development of new routes if there is an existing route in a region Identifies and connects all pilgrimage initiatives in a 100-150 km wide band Identifies the cultural, historical, religious and natural highlights along this corridor
Non-stop corridor One common, 8 languages comprising, digital instrument (APP with web systems of augmented reality) as a central tool With complementing sign postings, information boards and promotion material for hot spots, info points (monasteries, churches )
Pilgrim accommodations Target: Find 50 sustainable managed pilgrim hostels (5 each per 10 regions), with focus on green tourism Accommodations have to implement eco-criteria Energy saving, waste management etc. They are requested to provide convenience criteria for pilgrims Early breakfast, no extra charge for single night stay Information regarding religious regional offers etc. Marketing benefits for accommodations Advertisements, public promotion etc.
Bookable travel packages We will set up 2-3 bookable pilgrimage packages in each region (20-30 for international promotion) Modelling of tourist packages for individual pilgrims as well as guided groups Target group: ecclesiastical and hiking groupings Training and information workshops for pilgrim guides (standardised training level) and pilgrimage path tutors ('Friends of Pilgrimage') We will use AT Ecolabel criteria for tour operators
Sales & Marketing One multilingual website with links to existing sites Infomaterial in 8 languages (map and country folders) Media relations/dissemination, press releases 10-30 local information events International presentation, meeting of bishops (signing a common protocol) Promotion of pilgrimage packages to international tour operators, fam-trips for tour operators (incentives)
The European saints Claim in project subline: On the traces of European Saints Saints will play an important role in our project Approach: pilgrimage trails shall lead people to important centers of faith which are connected to saints, e.g. PL, CZ Method and Cyrill AT Lower Austria: Jacobus, Mary, Hemma, Benedict IT Francis, Benedict, Antonius To do: identify relevant saints in your regions, identify traditions and habits (which play an important role in present local events eg Christian festivals)
Financing & Timetable EU funding: proposal will be submitted June 2017 to Interreg Central Europe (up to 80% of project budget) National funds Own means Expected confirmation of project by EU: End 2017 Start project: January 2018 End of project: December 2020
Project partners Lead team: Rainer Stifter (Energon), Dr. Johannes Maier (Arge Pilgern in Kärnten), Ernst Leitner (GUL), Christa Englinger (Destino Mondo), Lisa Fiaschi (InEuropa) Italy: Don Raimondo (Diocesi di Vicenca), others Slovenia: Stanko Ogradi, others Carinthia: Roland Stadler, Monika Gschwandner, others Styria: Erzdiözese Graz, Seckau, Others Lower Austria: Andreas Purt (Mostviertel Tourism), others Czech Republic: Monika Dankova (Zlin Region), Dana Danova (East- Moravian Tourist Authority), Martin Peterka, Martina Janochová, Cyril and Methodius European Cultural Route Secretariat) Digital and interactive cartography: Bernhard Wimmer Further partners welcome
Requirements for partners Define trails in the corridor Suppose relevant saints with necessary information Identify cultural, historical, religious and natural highlights Identify and contact accommodation to match criteria Provide data for mailings Support fam-trips for tour operators Mention project results in own marketing (infos found in manual for tourist boards) Press release Provide further ideas
Networking All partners are required to promote the project in the entire supply chain (dioceses, parishes, catholic education institutions, pilgrimage associations etc.) Idea: setup of pilgrimage bloggers Networking with other pilgrimage routes
Signs along the corridor Objective: Our corridor should be visible at all routes As a sign we use a common logo Claim: Santa Via Romea On the traces of European Saints Signposting: only in regular distances at religious hot spots Information boards gives info on cultural, religious highlights Information board example: VIA SACRA / L-AT
Timetable Submission of proposal: June/July 2017 Confirmation of project by EU: End 2017 Start project: January 2018 End of project: December 2020
THANK YOU! Ernst Leitner, ernst.leitner@gul.at