Description
The objective of the project is to enhance green tourism, especially cycling in certain regions of the country, by selecting and training of local activists to be able to 1) research the current obstacles of cycle touring, 2) make recommendations and suggestions on forums to local stakeholders and business actors, 3) gain local media attention as well. Through this strategy, the project will help to illuminate the social and economic advantages of green and cycle tourism and will strengthen civic involvement in touristic development. It could also move forward the improvement of infrastructural prerequisites of cycle touring. The project will become sustainable, as the trained activists could become professional advisors and multiplicators of the for-profit tourism sector.
Summary of project results
The project aimed at solving shortcomings of the infrastructure and promotion of bicycle touring in Hungary as an important pillar of sustainable tourism with a special focus on reducing regional differences. In three target regions, in the areas of Csepel Island, Székesfehérvár and Debrecen, altogether 215 kilometres of new touring route was planned and marked with the involvement of local activist hubs. Following the preliminary trainings of 18 “local actors” and community building excercises, intensive advocacy processes were executed on the local level among decision makers and authorities , networks with other CSOs and local stakeholder groups were built, and local businesses got engaged with the support of the infrastructure development in each region. New routes were opened with a public biking event involving nearly 250 participants, tour guides were published, and a communication campaign was carried out using various media reaching nearly 2 million people. The experiences of the project were summarized in a policy paper as a set of recommendations addressing municipalities, CSOs and service providers. The project has both provided an excellent example for multi-sectoral cooperation and an opportunity for the promoter to extend its portfolio and strengthen its countryside branches.
Summary of bilateral results