Case Study from Austria Stefan cel mare University of Suceava Faculty of Economics and Public Administration Suceava, ROMANIA Katharina Schmutz Environment- & Bio-Ressource Management Inno Natour 2010 University of natural resources and Applied life Scienes Department for Economics- and Social Science Vienna, AUSTRIA

(source: An example of innovative tourism in lower Austria “The Power Arena”

Investigations collecting ideas arrangement with Prof. Weiss from BOKU Title: “The mystical Waldviertel” sending s to different tourist organizations Trip to Lower Austria for better information pool and first interview Big surprise -> Project doesn’t exist (anymore) Plan B -> tourist project of the municipality Title: “Power arena of Groß Gerungs” Trekking tours to the attraction “Force Fields” Inno Natour 2010

Touristical Development the region of northern lower Austria is barely tapped No mass tourism Attraction for tourists with certain conceptions/interests – “archaic” nature -> repose, silence – Ancient Castles and monasteries -> monuments (Source:

Interviews 2 interviews in Vienna – 1 st DI Laister: regional planner of Groß Gerungs – 2 nd Mrs. Floh-Kienast: councilor of cultural affairs of Groß Gerungs Filter infos Inno Natour 2010

Idea and Innovation 1980: beginning of trekking tours with dowsing rods (without route marks) Idea: collection of old rural knowledge (Source: berlin.de/w/SE/ThesisCodeBrowsingno Natour 2010) Innovational topic: Combine old Knowledge of dowsing rods (Radiesthesia) + force fields “Stonepyramid”

Results 1992: The Making Of – “Power Arena of Groß Gerungs” Formulation of a tourist concept – Adventures Theme path for trekking tours Application for financial support – municipality (rural commune) – Leader Cooperation with tourist organizations of Waldviertel (Source: Interviews)

Cooperation 2 Tourist organization: Niederösterreich Touristics Destination Waldviertel Inno Natour 2010 Privat protagonists: Hotels Inns Farmers Bakery Butcher

Stakeholders (source: kreislauf.at;) kreislauf.at all inclusive trips: Smooth power days Fountain of youth days Services: Salvation massages Trekking tours to the mystical spots Service: À la carte: healthy power pyramide Service: Pyramidebarbecue

Strategy Creation of marketing Convincing the municipality of this idea Looking for sponsoring – Federal state government – Private sponsors (factories) Looking for cooperators – Rural organisations Inno Natour 2010

Statistics 1980: 7000 overnight stay – (without cardio – vascular centre) 2008: overnight stays – (without the cardio – vascular centre; – with ) There are no statistics about the improvement made by the “Power Arena of Groß Gerungs” Inno Natour 2010

Sustainable Development Social issue: – How to keep the financial benefit in the region? – How to conserve the local authenticity? Ecological issue: – Positioning of blocking zones on field path water protection area – alternative road; parking spaces Economic issue: – Participation and Involvement in this project (Source: Interviews with DI Laister and Mrs. Floh)

(Source: Interview with Mrs. Floh) Coucilor of cultural affairs Mayor No interest Privat person (org. farmer) Competition of cardio centre Idea + development Creation of theme paths

Struggles and Challenges to cope with No exception from the mayor – No more financial support – No support from the other councils Only 2 people responsible – Organic farmer: who has 2 businesses (farmer + tourist guide) – Other one is retired Project needs relaunch and investment – Old homepage, new offers and No public transport system – Takes 4 ½ hours from Vienna (1 ½ by car!) Inno Natour 2010

Outlook Relaunch and Investment for the Homepage – Travel packages all around the “Power Arena” Better transport possibilities – Offerings with the bus enterprise for groups travels My opinion – great project with lot of potential – Should become an own organization form – Search for new Investors and supporting projects Inno Natour 2010

Thank you for your attention! Inno Natour 2010