SLOWDOWN holds its 1st Interregional Thematic Workshop

SLOWDOWN will hold the first Interregional Thematic Workshop of the project on 18-20 June 2024 in Esztergom, Hungary. The main objective of this meeting is to physically bring together the consortium partners to advance collaborative efforts in the promotion of slow and sustainable tourism across Europe.

The agenda, designed by project lead partner Ister-Granum EGTC, includes a variety of activities aimed at fostering collaboration, sharing best practices and deepening slow tourism initiatives. Participants will take part in interactive sessions, including a comprehensive presentation on slow tourism practices and a dedicated workshop led by the University of Eastern Finland. These activities aim to provide valuable insights and stimulate debate on effective strategies and methodologies.

In addition, the meeting will serve to formally constitute the Interregional Steering Group, as well as to address other formal project issues such as financial monitoring, the planned communication plan, the day-to-day management of the project, the methodology for involving local stakeholders (developed by Delta 2000) and the planning of the next steps of the project.

One of the highlights of the event will be the study visit along the Danube Corso, which will offer participants the opportunity to observe and learn from the evolution of small-scale tourism in the region. This visit will include guided tours and hands-on experiences, such as boat trips and visits to local production workshops, allowing attendees to learn first-hand about sustainable tourism practices. To further enrich the experience, participants will take part in cultural activities, such as a visit to the Karkó ranch and a bicycle tour of the sister cities of Esztergom (Hungary) and Štúrovo (Slovakia), highlighting the cultural and historical importance of the region.

This meeting is central to the SLOWDOWN project, as it provides a unique platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative development of sustainable tourism strategies.