Discussions | CEETO NETWORK

Reducing traffic pressure in Medvednica Nature Park, Croatia

Medvednica Nature Park faces heavy visitation during spring and autumn weekends and winter skiing season which causes environmental problems in the Park. Measures to solve heavy traffic and lack of parking space in the Park were designed based on data collected via electronic car counters and video cameras, installed on the most problematic spots, and in-depth survey of visitors´ structure and attitudes. Data obtained from both monitoring schemes helped the Park management to develop Sustainable Tourism Action Plan of the area in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.Possible solutions for traffic problems include rescheduling the timetable of public busses, better road management and maintenance and defining and adequate marking of parking spots. On the other hand, the results obtained from visitors in-depth study showed that visitors are aware of the possible loss of natural values of the Park due to traffic overloads and touristic pressures and are prepared to participate financially in preserving natural values of the area. Learn more from the attached summary of the CEETO pilot action in the Nature Park Medvednica.

CEETO teaser Nature Park Medvednica

#CEETOPilotAction #Croatia #ElectronicCounters #Medvednica #monitoring #NatureParkMedvednica #ProtectedArea #SustainableTourism 1 comment

Testing visitor management activities in UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast Rügen, Germany

The Zicker Berge, an area located at the southeastern tip in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast Rügen, Germany, represents a valuable ecological area with species-rich grasslands. The beauty of the landscape attracts many visitors every year. Unfortunetly, rules of proper behaviour are often ignored by visitors due to insufficient knowledge of the natural values of this area. The Pilot Action of CEETO project intends to evaluate the touristic pressure in this area and to change the visitor behaviour for a better by providing more and better information about the particularities of the "Zicker Begre" and about the correct code of cunduct. The Visitor flow was observed at two main entrances of the area "Zicker Berge" and manual surveys (flash interviews and in-depth interviews) were conducted. After the initial evaluation of data, the management of the protected Area involved local people in decicion making process and the implementation of the visitor management activities. To find out, if the visitor management activities are effective and if the  visitor behaviour is changing, data are collected continuously over the years.  A detailed description of the pilot action can be found in the attached summary. Also, you can check a video of the pilot area at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLl-r4QMN3M&feature=youtu.be

#AudioGuide #CEETOPilotAction #Deutschland #ElectronicCounters #Germany #ProtectedArea #RevisedSignage #SoutheastRügen #Survey #SustainableTourism #TouristMonitoring #UNESCO #VisitorBehaviour #VisitorFlowManagement #ZickerBerge 0 comment

Visitor flow management in Sölktäler Nature Park

The attractive landscape with mountain lakes and rich flora and fauna makes Sölktäler Nature Park, Austria, attractive destinations for hikers in summer and skiers in wintertime. To mitigate the impacts of growing tourist visits in the area, the Nature Park management undertook several measures. To understand tourist flows in the Park, electronic counters were installed at four main hiking trails and manual counting at two hiking spots in summer was conducted. The monitoring of human impacts on wildlife was also monitored. Collected statistics allow for identification of days and weeks of increased tourist pressure, annual comparison of tourist flows and comparison between the presences found in four spota in the Park. Obtained data were used to create a five-year strategy for tourism management in the Park, together with local stakeholders. Also, an information brochure was created to communicate natural specificities of the Park and alternative tourist itineraries, to minimize the impact on fragile habitats. Detailed description of the pilot action can be found in the attached summary. Also, you can check a video of the pilot area at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbfGsH0ETaU&feature=youtu.be

#AlpinePastures #Austria #CEETOPilotAction #ElectronicCounters #monitoring #NaturparkSölktaler #ProtectedArea #SkiTourism #SustainableTourism #VisitorFlowManagement 0 comment