EDEN55plusNW
Published on 29 April 2019
Slovenia
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About this good practice
EDEN is an initiative promoting sustainable tourism development models across the EU. The initiative is based on national competitions that take place every other year and result in the selection of a tourist ‘destination of excellence’ for each participating country.
This project connects 4 neighbouring countries and 5 EDEN destinations in Austria, Slovenia and Croatia and targets seniors 55+ from Italy.
The main focus is to design suitable cross-border tourism products in pilot EDEN destinations for seniors 55+ to increase sustainable tourism flows in low/medium seasons in these EDEN areas.
The secondary focus is also on facilitating the internationalization of tourism businesses – mainly SMEs, senior organizations and their introduction into the senior tourism market.
The project developed 4 cross-border tourism products for seniors 55+ (women and couples), tested and evaluated by groups of seniors from Italy in April & May 2017 (two 5-days testing programmes), and SMEs representatives – in order to upgrade the model and products.
These tests resulted in the creation of two 10-days touristic packages, one for women only and one for couples, catering included, during the low season. The package is made up of small and medium-sized tourist enterprises offers, where EDEN regions can be booked together in three countries. Slow tourism should provide for more exchanges with local habitants.
This project connects 4 neighbouring countries and 5 EDEN destinations in Austria, Slovenia and Croatia and targets seniors 55+ from Italy.
The main focus is to design suitable cross-border tourism products in pilot EDEN destinations for seniors 55+ to increase sustainable tourism flows in low/medium seasons in these EDEN areas.
The secondary focus is also on facilitating the internationalization of tourism businesses – mainly SMEs, senior organizations and their introduction into the senior tourism market.
The project developed 4 cross-border tourism products for seniors 55+ (women and couples), tested and evaluated by groups of seniors from Italy in April & May 2017 (two 5-days testing programmes), and SMEs representatives – in order to upgrade the model and products.
These tests resulted in the creation of two 10-days touristic packages, one for women only and one for couples, catering included, during the low season. The package is made up of small and medium-sized tourist enterprises offers, where EDEN regions can be booked together in three countries. Slow tourism should provide for more exchanges with local habitants.
Resources needed
The total cost of the project amounted to 299.255€, co-funded at 75% by the EU which amounts to a grant of 224.438€ distributed among 8 partners. This project was co-funded by the COSME programme of the EU. 8 project partners were involved.
Evidence of success
Following the successful test phase, the project was able to create two touristic packages for SMEs to use and sell after the end of the project.
The EDEN destinations being directly involved as partners, they were able to directly promote and sell these tourist packages to the potential visitors and tourist organisations. The project directly supported the tourism board marketing strategy and SMEs integration strategy at the local level.
The EDEN destinations being directly involved as partners, they were able to directly promote and sell these tourist packages to the potential visitors and tourist organisations. The project directly supported the tourism board marketing strategy and SMEs integration strategy at the local level.
Potential for learning or transfer
To ensure sustainability and transferability, the project consortium established the following networks:
• Network of EDEN destinations: Idrija, Northern Velebit, Vulkanland, Kolpa, Solčavsko
• Network of senior organisations
• Network of tourism related SMEs – for long-term provision of quality services (over 50 members)
• Network of Incoming tourism agencies and TICs – in-depth experience marketing of selected niche groups of seniors 55+ after project end (13 members)
Building such multi-sectoral (SMEs, tourism boards, managing authorities) and transnational networks has contributed to improve the visibility of the region on one hand and to develop silver tourism on the other hand. The 55+ population category represents a very important market segment now and definitely has some potential in the tourism sector.
• Network of EDEN destinations: Idrija, Northern Velebit, Vulkanland, Kolpa, Solčavsko
• Network of senior organisations
• Network of tourism related SMEs – for long-term provision of quality services (over 50 members)
• Network of Incoming tourism agencies and TICs – in-depth experience marketing of selected niche groups of seniors 55+ after project end (13 members)
Building such multi-sectoral (SMEs, tourism boards, managing authorities) and transnational networks has contributed to improve the visibility of the region on one hand and to develop silver tourism on the other hand. The 55+ population category represents a very important market segment now and definitely has some potential in the tourism sector.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Development Centre of the Heart of Slovenia
Slovenia
Zahodna Slovenija
Contact
Project Officer