Case Study from Austria Stefan cel mare University of Suceava Faculty of Economics and Public...

Case Study from Austria Stefan cel mare University of Suceava

Faculty of Economics and Public AdministrationSuceava, ROMANIA

Katharina SchmutzEnvironment- & Bio-Ressource ManagementE-Mail: notociliegia@yahoo.com

Inno Natour 2010

University of natural resources and Applied life ScienesDepartment for Economics- and Social ScienceVienna, AUSTRIA

(source: http://www.kraftarena.at/)

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 e-mails 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: www.rm-waldviertel.at)

Interviews

• 2 interviews in Vienna– 1st DI Laister: regional planner of Groß Gerungs– 2nd 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: https://www.inf.fu-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: http://www.prinzenhof.at; http://www.herz-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: 20 000 overnight stays– (without the cardio – vascular centre; – with 90 000)

• 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)

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