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Eco-Adventures of Sam the Squirrel
Published on 12 May 2020
Hungary
Nyugat-Dunántúl
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Tourism of Bük has a rather one-sided touristic image focusing on wellness services based on thermal water, visitor numbers are high (250-270.000 visitors/year). The main goal of the project was to integrate local - separately less attractive - tourist attractions into one trail and connect them into the local tourism offer. Another aim to show and preserve local (both cultural and natural) values, and to creat a new, interesting, another type of program option for visitors. Involved partner institution: Bük, Bükfürdő Public Tourism Association (destination management organization).
The aim of the initiative is to present the natural values and unique sights of the settlement with creative solutions, and to create a new quality by combining existing values which provides a new, significant tourist experience with consideration of sustainability.
As part of the program, a 10 km long thematic trail – available for both cycling and walking – has been defined and signposted in the settlement, a golf course, a playground, a Kneipp and Nordic Walking Park, an adventure trail & an educational path (aimed at showing local flora and fauna) can be found along the trail.
The mascot of the route is a squirrel, whose logo also appears on many local attractions & programs for the purpose to shape different elements of local tourism into a single product. Target groups: tourists, kids & families, SMEs.
More info: ThreeT project IE website, Library section, Study Visit Report Hungary.
The aim of the initiative is to present the natural values and unique sights of the settlement with creative solutions, and to create a new quality by combining existing values which provides a new, significant tourist experience with consideration of sustainability.
As part of the program, a 10 km long thematic trail – available for both cycling and walking – has been defined and signposted in the settlement, a golf course, a playground, a Kneipp and Nordic Walking Park, an adventure trail & an educational path (aimed at showing local flora and fauna) can be found along the trail.
The mascot of the route is a squirrel, whose logo also appears on many local attractions & programs for the purpose to shape different elements of local tourism into a single product. Target groups: tourists, kids & families, SMEs.
More info: ThreeT project IE website, Library section, Study Visit Report Hungary.
Resources needed
A mix of human resource inputs provided by local municipality, local NGOs and stakeholders (tourism service providers) and also employees of the local destination management organization; and financial resources from local municipality (100% public resources, HUF 17 million (gross).
Evidence of success
- Significant number of guests, high demand for new programs (Attendance of attractions along the route: 2-3.000/year - estimation of local destination managers -)
- Creative concept, carefully planned and well-illustrated emblem/logo.
- Satisfactory and fruitful cooperation between organizers, service providers and volunteers (Length of signposted route / Number of attractions involved / Number of events / Number of media appearances / Number of printed materials)
- Creative concept, carefully planned and well-illustrated emblem/logo.
- Satisfactory and fruitful cooperation between organizers, service providers and volunteers (Length of signposted route / Number of attractions involved / Number of events / Number of media appearances / Number of printed materials)
Potential for learning or transfer
In the absence of a large budget, the creative concept and innovative nature of the practice resulted that a new complex tourist attraction has been created by intergrating existing values and attractions.
Furthermore an attractive and flexible framework has been formed for further extension and improvement.
The route is based on environmentally friendly values (eg. nature, health, sport, etc) and also on community participation, promotes sustainability and uses creative visual elements / tools represent meaningful content to involve the target groups; supporting with strong information system in multiple languages.
In one hand the initial attractiveness and creative appearance of the practice inspires interest, on the other hand the frame of the developed conception is wide and flexible enough to integrate new elements in the future.
Furthermore an attractive and flexible framework has been formed for further extension and improvement.
The route is based on environmentally friendly values (eg. nature, health, sport, etc) and also on community participation, promotes sustainability and uses creative visual elements / tools represent meaningful content to involve the target groups; supporting with strong information system in multiple languages.
In one hand the initial attractiveness and creative appearance of the practice inspires interest, on the other hand the frame of the developed conception is wide and flexible enough to integrate new elements in the future.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Bük, Bükfürdő Public Tourism Association
Hungary
Nyugat-Dunántúl
Contact
Deputy Head of Department