REPUBLIC OF CROATIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM Workshop Sustainable Management of Tourism Destinations along the Danube Ulm, Germany, 30 October 2015 Managing Destinations along the Danube in Croatia Blanka Belošević, Head, Department for International Cooperation Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Croatia 30 October 2015
Content Danube Destination in Croatia Managing the Destination(s) Programmes/Products Conclusions & proposals
Danube Destination in Croatia (resources)
Croatian Danube Area Vukovar Srijem County Osijek Baranja County
Scientific archaeological unit Museum of Vučedol culture the origins of Europe permanent since May 2015 Scientifical research centre, Archaeological park, Planetarium
reconstruction of Vučedol houses, Vučedol economy (agriculture and cattle-breeding) old crafts workshops copper casting, ceramics production, production of tools, weaving; conservatory-restoration workshops, art workshops, educational workshops for children Tourism and catering, sports recreation units under preparation (the end of construction is expected in 2018)
History and Culture Vukovar (Vukovar Srijem County) The Odescalchi Castle Permanent archeological, historical and ethnological stand situated in the City of Ilok The Eltz Castle Permanent stand: archaeology, historical development of Vukovar, ethnography heritage, the legacy of the Eltz family, the Homeland War
Vinkovci (Vukovar Srijem County) Orion The oldest calender in Europe, displayed in the pedestrian zone of Vinkovci, the longest inhabited town in Europe
Osijek (Osijek Baranja County) Tvrđa Osijek The remains of the baroque fort, built in 18th century Đakovo (Osijek Baranja County) Đakovo Cathedral (Cathedral of St. Peter) The most famous landmark of Đakovo, the city of bishops
Rural households Ethno village Karanac Baja s house (Bajina kuća) Acin salaš, Tordinci simply the best 2013 Matko s brewery( pecara ), Bošnjaci Wine tasting, excursions, horse riding, gourmet offer, accomodation
Wines and fruit brandies Ilok wine road 17 wine-tasting spots wine producers in Vukovar Ilok Wine cellars the most prize winning wine cellar in Croatia, since 2009 they have won 8 Decanter prizes the vineyards of: Feričanci, Đakovo, Erdut and Baranja The route of fruit drops (thematic brandies route)
Natural heritage and sports Experience Kopački rit The best preserved swamp area in Europe suitable for countless activities such as: birdwatching, hunting (grounds in Tikveš and Zlatna Greda), photo safari, fishing (rivers, brooks and lakes), sports activities (e.g. cycling, golf), gastronomic offer. The State Stud Farm of Lipizzaner horses The horse breeding tradition is a trademark of Slavonia and Baranja, especially the breeding of beautiful Lipizzan horses. Hunting Began in 1911, especially rich in big and small game; hunting grounds: Baranja, Srijem, Posavina
Fishing 980 ha of fishing area rich in carp, pike and cat-fish; rivers: Danube, Drava and Sava; Fishing World Cup: Drava in Bilje, 2006 Cycling Routes: Eurovelo 6 (international bicycle route on Danube); Route Srijem (local route); walk on international route Sultans trail; mobile application Airport Sopot near Vinkovci sports-tourist objects for landing and departure in air traffic, taxi and panorama flights, pilot education, training flights, competitions, sports and tourist flights. Golf in Principovac There are 3 golf courses (holes). Play golf in Principovac and finish with a glass of Princeps champagne and fall asleep in the luxury of the vineyard; you can also play tennis
River tourism ride on small rivers through forests and untouched nature Let s go to Srijem Vukovar Waterbus Bajadera Electro modern river boat, functions in accordance with sustainability; intended to be used for short oneday trips; organised by DMC Danubiumtours
Danubius Tourist boat Danubius anchored in Ilok can drive you to Osijek and all the way to Novi Sad; capacity of 50 persons
Events Roman days, Vinkovci (May) Ethno hair styles and ethno creations (May) Đakovo embroidery (July) Vukovar film festival (August) Pannonian challenge, Osijek (August) Vinkovci Fall event (September) The Grape Harvest of Ilok (September) folk festivities and many others Opportunities for the year around tourism
Managing the Destination(s)
Strategic documents and studies Regional Tourism Product Plan of the Hungary-Croatia IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013 (2010) includes tourist products for the Croatian Danube Counties International Cruises on the Danube: Trends, Success Factors and Benchmark (2013) Study of Sustainable Development of Tourist Cruises on the Danube in Croatia (2014) Under way: Marketing Plan for River Cruises on the Danube in Croatia Strategic Guidelines for Tourism Development in the City of Vukovar
Managing the Destination(s) Office for Tourism and Culture of the City of Vukovar and DMC Danubiumtours signed an agreement on joint management of the City of Vukovar as a tourism destination close cooperation with the Vukovar Port Authorities
Programmes & Products
River Cruises Cultural (History) Tourism Gastronomy and Wines (Croatia 365) Private Sector Initiatives
River Cruises Passenger Terminals on the Danube river Passenger Terminal Ilok pontoon type steel (length 57 m, width 8 m) berth capacity 3 vessels (floating facility +2) Passenger Terminal Vukovar pontoon type steel (length 75 m, width 10 m) berth capacity 4 vessels (floating facility +3) Passenger Terminal Aljmaš pontoon type steel (length 14,53 m, width 8 m) berth capacity 2 vessels (floating facility +1) Passenger Terminal Batina pontoon type steel (length 14,53 m, width 8 m) berth capacity 2 vessels (floating facility +1)
Passenger Terminals Vukovar/Ilok Passenger Terminal Vukovar Passenger terminal Ilok
Passenger traffic on the Danube Share of dockings alongside Croatian part of the Danube river - Passenger terminal Vukovar Share of all voyages alongsi de Croatia n part of the Danube river March April May June July August September October November Voyages docking in Vukovar Voyages passing Vukovar
Sociodemographic structure of passengers research results 78% english speaking 67% SAD 6,4% Great Britain (Switzerland, Germany, Canada) 7,4% France avarage age 67 28% 56-65 years old 27% 66-70 years old
Results of research of stay in destination 70% first visit to Croatia 39% first river cruising 45% pasengers bought something 37% passengers sightseeing without tourist guides 69% sightseeing tours organized by tourist guides 11 average spending in destiantion (souvenirs, bottle of authentic beverage, authentic food product)
Specific destination features strengths & weaknesses 94% staff hospitality in shops and restaurants 93% foreign languages knowledge and competence of tourist staff 87% organized and tour guided sightseeing 85% gastronomy 68% clean environment and preserved nature 45% tourist leaflet availability 39% shopping 36% souvenirs
Cultural (History) Tourism global presentation and branding of the prehistoric archaeology (three most significant sites: Lepenski Vir; Vučedol and Vinča) countries included in the project: Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria countries of the middle and Southern Danube where the prehistoric cultures of the same name existed and represent the basis of development of subsequent civilizations branding and promotion of the network of museums, archaeological parks and sites as a basis for a number of the niche tourism products (e.g.river cruises, cycling)
Danubiumtours (DMC) private sector initiatives
Brochure The Roots of Europe Targeting River Cruise market Four main products 1) The Vukovar Time Machine 2) Vučedol (prehistoric archeological site) 3) The Silence of the Plains (Jewish and German cemeteries) 4) Wine tasting
Conclusions and proposals (???)
Main products (biggest potential): 1. River cruises 2. Cultural (history) tourism 3. Gastronomy and wines/beverages Existing transnational offer: Roman Emperor Trails Danube Wine Route (how well do these two products function?) Partners: Tourist boards, port authorities, museums, local authorities, private sector stakeholders (accommodation, agencies, shops, SMEs and food and beverage producers-local offer)
How to cooperate? Facts: a) Tourism has no special funding sources(eu) b) Macro-regional strategies do not have dedicated (special) funds c) priorities and needs differ on both national and local levels Sustainable or responsible management? - to be sustainable you must manage your destination in a responsible way- all partners on board (public institutions and private sector working in sync), joint decisions
Platform- B2B and B2C -placement of existing offer(tours) and events (cultural, sports, conferences ) - posting project ideas, searching for partners - social media segment (visitors placing video materials, comments, blogs) Dedicated meetings of stakeholders per targeted programmes- more visibility, awareness and accessible information
Let us journey all together on the fascinating Blue Danube! Ms Blanka Belošević Head, Department for International Cooperation Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Croatia Tel.: +385(1) 6169 300 E-mail: blanka.belosevic@mint.hr www.mint.hr www.visitvukovar-srijem.com www.tzosbarzup.hr