Discussing sustainable tourism in protected areas in Serbia

From 28^th June – 1^st July this year over 200 protected area practitioners met from 21 countries to listen to speeches, attend workshops and network on the topic of sustainable tourism. The conference ‘Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas. Building bridges - Seeking Solutions’ took place in Donji Milanovac in Djerdap National Park, Serbia, who was the official hosts of the event. It was the celebration of the seventh Charter Network Meeting and hence the particular focus of the conference was EUROPARC’s European Charter for Sustainable Tourism.

Arriving on the Wednesday evening, participants were greeted by spectacular views of the Danube River across to Romania and a traditional Serbian welcome in the form of a glass of water and some sugary Serbian jam. The hotel was adorned with blue and white EUROPARC balloons which stood out proudly as guests registered for the event. The conference commenced officially with a spectacular buffet of Serbian food and Balkan music from a brass band.

EUROPARC staff pulled back their curtains on Thursday morning to see the sun climbing higher over the river. The day began with welcome speeches from Serbian Ministers, the Director of the Institute for Nature Protection of Serbia, the director of Djerdap National Park, the mayor of the district and the president of the Federation.

Deftly facilitated by EUROPARC Director Carol Ritchie, the keynote speeches were both inspiring and insightful. Xavier Font (ES), Leeds Metropolitan University (UK), used his exhaustive knowledge of case studies from all over Europe to inform delegates about what to do and what not to do where sustainable tourism marketing is concerned. Paulo Castro (PT), EUROPARC Council member and long-time Charter enthusiast, gave an introduction to the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, its benefits and structure. Andre Teixidor de Ventos, Garrotxa Tourism Association (ES), spoke about his experience in La Garrotxa Nature Park and how the Charter has helped to bring people from different sectors together to work for the same goal. A slightly different perspective on sustainable tourism came from Harry Backhouse, a farmer from the Forest of Bowlands Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (UK), who spoke about how he diversified his farm business from a normal farm to one with holiday cottages and a seminar centre to make it more sustainable and why this was so important to him. Finally, Patrizia Rossi, Director of Alpi Marittime Regional Park (IT), told participants about their cross-border cooperation on sustainable tourism with neighbouring protected area Mercantour National Park in France and the challenges that they have overcome.

After a lunch break in the sunshine on the banks of the river participants departed with their new knowledge to the workshop venues. There were four workshops: an introduction to the European Charter; organising tourism and partnerships inside the protected area; reinforcing social cohesion with the Charter; and the economic benefits and branding of tourism products. Discussions were lively and delegates came away with a lot to think about regarding the application of sustainable tourism in their organisations.

It was a particular honour to be able to celebrate Danube Day on the banks of the river and with Serbians from the surrounding area at the harbour in Donji Milanovac that evening. The residents were extremely helpful and friendly and the fireworks and entertainment superb. Certainly a great taste of local flavour and hospitality and a great way to relax after a day of hard work.

Early on Thursday morning buses left the hotel in various directions taking groups of people on the excursions. Often a highlight of EUROPARC events for many, excursions give delegates the chance to network in relaxed surroundings, to see and learn a bit more about the host area and provide them with some particularly special memories of the time spent there. Choices this time were: a cruise up the Danube through the famous ‘iron gates’; a hike up the Veliki Strbac mountain for spectacular views of the river and across Romania and Serbia; a visit to one of the most attractive sites of the national park – Kovilo, to Rajkos cave, a beautiful cave system which is 2304 m long; and last but not least a wine tasting trip to the village of Vratna. Participants marvelled at the scenery of the area; enjoyed the delicious food on offer; delighted in the insights given into Serbian culture; and were taken aback by the fantastic hospitality of the Serbian hosts.

Tired participants returned to the hotel to take part in the final evening’s celebrations. The unusual location, by the side of the hotels swimming pool, provided good acoustics and the opportunity to cool off if you had brought your swimming costume or trunks. After a few hours of intensive dancing many delegates made use of that possibility.

Unfortunately, many participants had to leave early the next morning due to a few problems with the transfers back to Belgrade. They sadly missed the final conference session including a speech on sustainable tourism in the European Union from European Commission representative Mathieu Hoeberigs and the conference conclusions. Finally all remaining delegates were handed a medal for their participation at the conference by the director and president of the national park and extended a warm invitation to return to Djerdap when ever they wished.

Many thanks go to Paulo Castro and members of staff of the national park who helped organise the event and made us feel so welcome, to the director of the national park for hosting the event and to the numerous ministries and sponsors who supported and promoted the event.

Download the presentations and other information about the event here

If you have any questions about the conference or are interested in hosting the Charter networking meeting next year please contact Morwenna Parkyn at info@european-charter.org.