GRISI PLUS Networking Seminar. WRA - Synopsis of Good Practices from an International Perspective

Transcription

1 GRISI PLUS Networking Seminar WRA - Synopsis of Good Practices from an International Perspective Tuesday 13 th November am-2.00pm

2 Contextual Background of Presentation Reasons for WRA Involvement in GRISI PLUS Good Practice 3 MURA-DRAVA BIKE, Slovenia Good Practice 4 Dingli Project: Beyond Cliffs, Malta Why Transfer these Good Practice to the West Region

3 Reasons for WRA Involvement Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs) for the West Region support the sustainable economic development of rural areas. Of particular importance to us as 62% of regional population are rural dwellers (CSO 2011). GRISI+ seeks to maximise the strengths of local products & attractions to support economic development & sustainable growth in rural areas. ICT tools are a key component of GRISI+ & how these can be best used to attract entrepreneurs, tourists & new residents to rural areas.

4 Reasons for WRA Involvement RPGs outline strengths & opportunities for economic development incl. those represented in GRISI+ (e.g. support for rural economic development, rural tourism, promotion of local products, etc.). Tourism is a key part of the regional economy. In an estimated 1.5 million overseas visitors came to the region. RPG Rural Tourism section recognises the importance of developing the strengths of unique tourist products in the region. GRISI+ has the potential to enhance rural tourism in more remote areas in particular as they fall behind in attracting tourists when compared to the main urban centres.

5 RPG policies refer to the need for supporting innovative developments, marketing, activity holidays, activity events including walking and cycling, water based activities, the development of cultural & arts tourism, opportunities associated with historical & archaeological tourist sites, the landscape, biodiversity & environmental resources. GRISI+ will assist in future policy formation in the next review of Regional Guidelines in RA Experience with TG4NP project RA Mobile Phone App (free to download) from Apple Store/Play Market. Using transferable technology (now used by Galway CC). App geared to attracting tourists to rural East Galway and is used by tourists & local residents.

6 Good Practice 3 MURA-DRAVA BIKE, Slovenia What is the MURA-DRAVA BIKE Good Practice? Cycle paths developed along the River Drava & River Mura. Attractions or points of interest (POIs) along the cycle-route were given GPS coordinates and bikers/users can use the website or access static maps on their mobile devices to find them. POIs are plotted on Open Street Map. Variety of information - from basic cycling tours, position of local businesses/restaurants, cultural & natural attractions & contact information of all stakeholders.

7 Map of Cycling Route in Pomurje Region, Slovenia programme.

8 Map of MURA-DRAVA Cycling Route, Slovenia programme.

9 Good Practice 3 MURA-DRAVA BIKE, Slovenia What are the Objectives of MURA-DRAVA BIKE? The overall objective of the project is ensuring sustainable economic and social development in the border area of Slovenia and Croatia. Establish an attractive cross-border (Slovenia & Croatia) for tourism cycling destinations along the Mura and Drava Rivers. Encourages the development of tourism enterprise activities along the bike path and thus will contribute to rural development. Project Mura-Drava Bike will have positive effects on economic growth, on reducing outward migration from the region and on creating a pleasant and stimulating environment.

10 Good Practice 3 MURA-DRAVA BIKE, Slovenia Who are the Target Groups? Tourism workers; Tourism providers in the area (existing and potential); Tourists, particularly bikers; Development planners, elected and non-elected representatives of local communities. How will MURA-DRAVE BIKE be Implemented? The project implementation is associated with the interaction of ten project partners, with a precise and comprehensive definition of development potential, the motivation of key stakeholders, professional education and target marketing activities.

11 Good Practice 3 MURA-DRAVA BIKE, Slovenia Financing Plan and Cost to Implement Project? Total Budget 1,495,140 European Financing National Public Financing 263,848 Private Financing 40,827 Other Revenue N/A

12 Good Practice 3 MURA-DRAVA BIKE, Slovenia Timescale of Project Implementation? The project has been implemented in the period between 2009 and 2012 (August 2009 June 2012). Key stages of Implementation: Determination of the place of bike paths and preparation of GPS navigation ( ). Provision of road and creation of tourist facilities (2011). Dissemination of project activities ( ).

13 Good Practice 3 MURA-DRAVA BIKE, Slovenia What are the Key Project Activities? 1) Management and Coordination; 2) Identification of Bike Routes; 3) Provision of Cycle Paths; 4) Preparation of Construction Documents for Projects and Works; 5) Establishment of Tourist Products; 6) Education and Training of Target Groups; 7) Marketing and PR Activities.

14 Good Practice 3 MURA-DRAVA BIKE, Slovenia Transferability of Good Practice to Other Regions in Europe? Service integration and POIs (points of interest) can be transferred through the navigation system between other border regions in Europe. Various cross border issues with the establishment of GPS navigation in two countries with different legal systems and inputting a variety of data. Experience and knowledge gained in the MURA-DRAVA project, will help to successfully implement the Good Practice in other EU regions.

15 Good Practice 4 Dingli Project: Beyond Cliffs, Malta What is the Dingli Project Good Practice? Implement a holistic tourism product revolving primarily around setting up a loop shaped walking trail centered on promoting Dingli s natural, cultural and architectural landmarks in rural areas. The trail starts and finishes at the Interpretative Centre; encouraging the creation of new jobs in rural tourism. Apart from signposting, information boards, leaflets and brochures the investment will include the creation of a website dedicated to the trail further promoting rural heritage as a tourist product.

16 Good Practice 4 Dingli Project: Beyond Cliffs, Malta

17 Good Practice 4 Dingli Project: Beyond Cliffs, Malta programme.

18 Good Practice 4 Dingli Project: Beyond Cliffs, Malta Who are the Target Groups? Tourists and visitors to Dingli. Bodies & Organisations Involved in the Project? Dingli Local Council (Private Contractors and External Experts); Malta Tourism Authority (MTA); Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs (MRRA); Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA); Rabat Local Council.

19 Good Practice 4 Dingli Project: Beyond Cliffs, Malta Timescale of Project Implementation? 36 months implementation process (01/10/ /10/2013). Key Activities for Implementation: Setting up of trails that interlink various sites of tourist value. Development of tourism products that promote the traditional character of rural communities. Provision and restoration of small-scale recreational amenities, such as leisure parks, which are a major tourist attraction. Development of regional marketing services relating to rural tourism including the creation of ICT platforms.

20 Good Practice 4 Dingli Project: Beyond Cliffs, Malta Financing Plan and Cost to Implement Project? Total Budget 317,436 European Financing 222,205 National Financing 47,615 Dingli LC 47,615

21 Good Practice 4 Dingli Project: Beyond Cliffs, Malta What are the Key Objectives & Results from the Dingli Project? Promotion of economic growth and rural heritage as a tourist product in rural areas. Enhancement of the rural dimension and the physical setting in which it will be located. Encouragement of tourism in rural areas that rekindles entrepreneurial activities and generates employment. Provision of small-scale infrastructure for tourism and countryside recreation such as signposting of sites and route-trail, the provision of small-scale amenities, which are needed for the practicing of a particular recreational activity.

22 Good Practice 4 Dingli Project: Beyond Cliffs, Malta Transferability of Good Practice to Other Regions in Europe? This GP can be adapted according to the local situation and needs in any developing rural tourist areas. Through this project, Dingli LC set up an Interpretative Centre which will also function as the major information node. Visitors will find the relevant trail map, information leaflets and brochures. Dingli Local Council, MTA and MRRA will further promote the Dingli: Beyond the Cliffs project and will disseminate its promotional materials internationally.

23 Why Transfer these Good Practices to the West Region? MURA-DRAVA BIKE in Slovenia / Dingli Beyond Cliffs in Malta WRA has previous experience in creating, implementing and promoting a cycling and walking mobile application through the TG4NP EU Project. Good potential to further promote walking and cycling routes and heritage & nature trails in the region and is supported by RPG policies. Help to increase rural tourism numbers in the immediate and surrounding locality, thereby maintaining existing jobs and create employment opportunities to attract new comers to rural areas. Innovations in ICT can be used to their fullest potential. Practical experience can be gained from the good practices. Outcomes will inform future regional and county rural economic policy development.

24 Thank You for Listening Official websites of the two Good Practices are:-

25 Galway County Council Good Practice No. 1: SOHO SOLO Small Office Home Office (France). Good Practice No. 2: Organisation of Fruit & Vegetable Producers (Cyprus). West Regional Authority Good Practice No. 3: Dingli Development of a Heritage & Nature Trail within a Rural Area (Malta). Good Practice No. 4: Mura-Drava BIKE Establishment of Cycle Paths & GPS Navigation Systems in Rural Area (Slovenia).