Strategic objective 2 of the DATOURWAY project: Supporting social-economic background for tourism Márton Lendvay Sofia, 24th November 2011

I. Analysis GDP per capita

I. Analysis Unemployment rate

I. Analysis Tertiary qualification

I. Analysis Old age index

II. Strategic elements (SWOT) Strengths Improving educational level and skills Diversification of local economies in several areas Entrepreneurial drive Organic-farming initiatives Strong capital cities and regions, dynamic medium size cities Development of advanced urban services Growing interest in tourist development Diversity of cross-border cooperative activities Technological development of manufacturing Respect and celebration of national, regional, local cultural traditions and products

II. Strategic elements (SWOT) Weaknesses Substantial ratio of peripheral areas Deprived rural areas; urban – rural dichotomy Territorial disparities Decline of population except in the suburban rings Out-migration of educated young people Inadequate language skills and skills for tourist services Growing unemployment, long-term unemployment Decline and closure of manufacturing industries Poor housing conditions in deprived rural areas Deprived areas dependent on subsistence farming or a single manufacturing company Environmental and social challenges in the urbanized areas, unstable situation of small towns

II. Strategic elements (SWOT) Opportunities Broad opportunities for transnational cooperation Forthcoming EU Strategy for the Danube Region Increasing permeability of national borders Spread of new, eco-friendly lifestyles Social and cultural policies promoting equal opportunities Increase of social responsibility of companies Offer and demand of diverse, high quality local products: food, drinks, crafts Local developments (nature conservation, cycle routes) Rewarding experience of successful initiatives Mobilizing impact of flourishing tourism on local economies and social behaviour

II. Strategic elements (SWOT) Threats Depopulation of some rural areas Subsistence problems in off-season periods Increasing East-West dichotomy at the European level Growing transnational, regional and local disparities Economic and social difficulties involving regional / ethnic conflicts Out-migration, emigration of young, educated groups Difficulties in raising motivation of the elderly, rural population Constraints on local, small scale developments in period of economic crisis

III. DATOURWAY strategy Vision: Danube: the attractive and unique tourist region General objective: Building of a well known tourism brand for the Danube region by utilization of the tourism potential and strengthening the socio-economic, environmental and infrastructural background

3 strategic objectives: 1.Widely utilised tourism potential in the Danube Region 2.Supporting social-economic background for tourism 3.Strong environmental and infrastructural conditions for tourism III. DATOURWAY strategy

Successfully developed tourism by strong social reception and support, increasing economic basics Social background & human resources They have determining role in the internal connections and the cross border developments of the area IV. Social-economic aspect in DATOURWAY strategy

V. Strategic objective 2. Supporting social-economic background for tourism Priorities 2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area 2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism 2.3. Human resources development in the Danube region Measures Coordinated development of tourism and local economy Promoting of the border and cross border co- operations in tourism development Tourism oriented and professional training programs for the local inhabitants in the region Promoting the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism Strengthening the co- operation among the Danube region settlements Strengthening the local populations environment awareness and catering ability Strengthening the civil networks in the region Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region

V. Strategic objective 2. Supporting social-economic background for tourism Priorities 2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area 2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism 2.3. Human resources development in the Danube region Measures Coordinated development of tourism and local economy Promoting of the border and cross border co- operations in tourism development Tourism oriented and professional training programs for the local inhabitants in the region Promoting the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism Strengthening the co- operation among the Danube region settlements Strengthening the local populations environment awareness and catering ability Strengthening the civil networks in the region Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region

V. Strategic objective 2. Supporting social-economic background for tourism Priorities Measures 2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area 2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism 2.3. Human resources development in the Danube region Coordinated development of tourism and local economy Promoting of the border and cross border co- operations in tourism development Tourism oriented and professional training programs (e.g. language courses) for the local inhabitants in the region Promoting the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism Strengthening the co- operation among the Danube region settlements Strengthening the local populations environment awareness and catering ability Strengthening the civil networks in the region Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region Coordinated development of tourism and local economy Promoting the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism 2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area

V. Strategic objective 2. Supporting social-economic background for tourism Priorities Measures 2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area 2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism 2.3. Human resources development in the Danube region Coordinated development of tourism and local economy Promoting of the border and cross border co- operations in tourism development Tourism oriented and professional training programs (e.g. language courses) for the local inhabitants in the region Promoting the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism Strengthening the co- operation among the Danube region settlements Strengthening the local populations environment awareness and catering ability Strengthening the civil networks in the region Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region Promoting of the border and cross border co-operations in tourism development Strengthening the co-operation among the Danube region settlements Strengthening the civil networks in the region 2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism

V. Strategic objective 2. Supporting social-economic background for tourism Priorities Measures Coordinated development of tourism and local economy Development of the border and cross border co- operations of tourism Tourism oriented and professional trainings (e.g.language courses) for the local inhabitants in the region Strengthening the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism Strengthening the co- operation between the Danube region settlements Strengthening the local populations environment awareness and catering ability Strengthening the civil networks in the region Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region Tourism oriented and professional training programs for the local inhabitants in the region Strengthening the local populations environment awareness and catering ability Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region 2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area 2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism 2.3. Human resources development in the Danube region

Priority 2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the DATOURWAY area Local values & interference zones of locally based tourism development must be identified Interconnections of tourism and local economy, the economic fostering role of tourism Attractions based on traditional farming and product production activities for tourism Possible linkages of the private and public sphere in the spatial development of tourism

Measure Coordinated development of tourism and local economy Connection between local economy and tourism needed –by connection of services of the tourism products and programs organised for the local service providers Creation of local product markets and the creation of their aligned system on the frequent target areas of tourism

Measure Promoting the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism Local products as territorial products can only be a real tourism attraction if they are marketable Network of quality system & regional and spatial product brands should be created

Priority 2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism Social environment is fundamental for tourism: Coordination Cross-border activities Spatial cohesion Civil organizations Networks

Measure Promoting of the border and cross border co- operations in tourism development Some good examples already for joint utilization, harmonization, common management of development Common tourism products Product packages Ports for river tourism Thematic routes

Measure Strengthening the co-operation among the DATOURWAY settlements Cooperation in economy (and tourism) EGTCs (European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation, cooperation instrument at the community level with legal personality) Joint investments, tenders, common institutions & events

Measure Strengthening the civil networks in the region Local support is needed – through NGOs Civil organizations need information itinerary - common forums - joint actions

Priority 2.3. Human resources development of the DATOURWAY area Era of knowledge based society, human resource development, education, training and lifelong learning Development & management of Human Resources needed in a wide perspective and its tourism aspects

Measure Tourism oriented and professional training programs for the tourism sector and local inhabitants Multi-level training to satisfy the needs of tourism industry Contribution of higher education »Hospitality, geography, languages etc. Vocational training »Cook, waiter, sommelier etc. Special programs »Tourist guides, animators + infrastructure required

Measure Strengthening the local populations environmental awareness Regional tourism development can be effectively supported by strengthening local patriotism and transfer of relevant knowledge on environment and tourism Organization of forums, events, education,presentations for environmental awareness

Measure Networking of the middle and high level tourism educational/training institutions Adequate quality of tourism ensured by the harmonized cooperation of training institutions Common research, knowledge transfer, mobility programs, professional forums, publications…

VI. Summary Strategic objective 2. Supporting social- economic background for tourism in DATOURWAY strategy Priorities 2.1. Development of the local tourism resources of the Danube area 2.2. Strengthening the regional identity and cohesion by means of development of cultural tourism 2.3. Human resources development in the Danube region Measures Coordinated development of tourism and local economy Promoting of the border and cross border co- operations in tourism development Tourism oriented and professional training programs for the local inhabitants in the region Promoting the local product generation and sale (rural and handicraft) together with tourism Strengthening the co- operation among the Danube region settlements Strengthening the local populations environment awareness and catering ability Strengthening the civil networks in the region Networking of the middle and high level tourism training institutions in the region

Márton Lendvay Scientific Association for Spatial Development