European cultural project to kickstart tourism in Hungary after re-opening

Even though Hungary is currently suffering from the third wave of the coronavirus, the country is making preparations to restart life soon.

As we recently wrote, tourism could revive and even explode as the country restarts itself. Although there is no definite date yet when it will happen, and the special legal order was just extended to 90 additional days, Hungary is getting prepared to re-open the best and strongest way possible.

To do so, on 26 February, 

a new project, DANUrB+ of 6 countries situated along the Danube, will kickstart. The online conference aims to help tourism in the region.

András Ambrus, head of press of the Municipal Executive Office of Pest County, said that the new project planned to be elaborated between 2020-2022 is the continuation of a previously successfully conducted research program between 2017-2019, called DANUrB.

Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria will be the 6 countries involved in the programme for which the budget reaches 2.7 million euros, reports turizmus.com. 

The partnership otherwise consisting of 19 partners is made up of 6 universities, research centres and agencies specialised in tourism and regional development, local municipalities, and civil organisations. The programme of this project is developed by the department of urban planning of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics; moreover, the university will be in charge as well.

“The objective of the initiative is to create a comprehensive network based on region and culture, a so-called European Cultural Promenade that would link together communities along the Danube and centralise them into one single tourist destination under a brand name,”

explained András Ambrus.

The project aims to prolong and fill tourists’ time spent in the region with a cultural value apart from simply increasing the number of people arriving in the country. To do so, they offer thematic itineraries and developmental possibilities to the participating countries.

András Ambrus explained the participation of the county municipality with the fact that the Danube itself plays a crucial role in the life of Pest County with its value unique in all of Europe. Moreover, the success of the previous project together with the strengthening of regional cooperation technically obligates the county to continue its participation.

“Local values, cultural heritage, and communities can act as the engine of development, for which DANUrB+ provides professional support in the form of know-how, community, and the possibility for united action.”

They give an enormous amount of help so that many more would get to know these villages and settlements. They help to prepare tender applications and competition plans apart from developing support projects.

From Hungary’s side, Makád, Lórév, Szigetbecse, Szigetszentmásron, Szigetújfalu, Ráckeve, Szob, Ipolydamásd, and Letkés joined the initiative. The new project will focus on villages in a peripherical situation, such as the area of the Csepel Island or the Danube Bend and their peripherical settlements. These places, despite possessing a lot of historic and natural treasures, have not become integral parts of the country’s tourism.

The complete and precise plan of the new phase is still undergoing some planning; however, as early as February, an online conference will be organised as the first event. To continue, based on previous experience, workshops, educational trips, training, and presenting well-working and successful practices will help settlements participating in the project. Moreover, in certain villages, concrete touristic plans will be carried out, added András Ambrus.

Read alsoBudapest prepares ‘tourism reopening package’ to help hospitality industry

Source: MTI