In Brief

Overview of the Project

Tourism is an opportunity for the less developed settlements to reach the level of the more developed ones in terms of job creation and self-employment, and in catalyzing local investments. The potential for the development of this economic branch is reflected in its rich cultural, historical and natural heritage of the region.

 Natural resources that are located in the area covered by the project (Fruska Gora and Morahalom, numerous spas and hot springs) provide opportunities for the development of many innovative ideas and different tourist offers. This project will exploit these potentials, all in accordance with the laws of nature and with the aim to make a positive impact on the local population.

During the project implementation a completely unique tourist offer will be created in the Hungary-Serbia border region – a natural wellness. Reconstruction of the authentic facility within the Municipality of Irig in the Forest Selfness Centre will enrich the tourist offer of the region in terms of accommodation capacities, as well as offering newly formed health path with a specific composition of plants that have a positive impact on health, then dendrotherapy, tea ceremonies, photo safari, aromatherapy and more.

The trainings and workshops within the project will raise the stakeholders’ capacities for destination management within this type of tourism offer. The project’s priority will be development of specific skills and tools which enable successful placement of tourist services in health tourism.

The project also includes the organization of an international conference dedicated to the challenges and opportunities offered by new tourist niches in order to develop the region.

Background

Welness tourism development potentials for job creation, self-employment and catalysing local investments

Welness tourism development potentials for job creation, self-employment and catalysing local investments.

Wellness tourism is travel for the purpose of promoting health and well-being through physical, psychological, or spiritual activities. Wellness tourists are generally high-yield tourists, spending on average 59 percent more per trip than the average international tourist. Europe is the second largest wellness tourism market, with $158.4 billion in annual, combined international and domestic expenditures.

Examples of good practice from the previous 2007-2013 program, have shown that the exactly of such activities are a good basis for bringing people from the two sides of the border closer which contributes to a better appreciation and understanding among people, especially the young generation.

This project will exploit these potentials, all in accordance with the laws of nature and with a positive impact on the local population. Modern life with air and noise pollution, excessive traffic and fast food leads to plenty of stress and affects the health and well-being of people. Maintaining and improving health has become the ultimate goal of modern life and part of the daily culture of living. Promotion of healthy life styles is fundamental to a growth of health tourism (travel for health) in the modern global tourism markets.

$639b

Market in 2017

6.5%

Annual Growth

178%

Spending per Trip
Main Services

A Wide Range of Activities

Project activities are dedicated to the use of local resources, both natural and human. In addition to the potential of forests and thermal water, there are local products (food, drinks, souvenirs, etc.) produced by the population. The goal is to connect these resources and make them into a unique offer that is completely in harmony with nature.

01

Established new cross-border tourism offer

  • Reconstruction Forest selfness center - Food
  • corner; Lecture part
  • Construction of Forest bungalows
  • Construction of Forest Amphitheatre
  • Creation of health path
  • Creation of sensory garden
02

Joint research on the impact of how natural elements impact on guests

  • Economic modeling for the M. of Irig, Mórahalom and Kiskunsági NP
  • Marketing plan for tourism development in the region
  • Different tree species and its compounds at Fruška Gora mountain
03

Increased tourism stakeholder’s destination

  • Forest Workshops
  • Seminar on sensory gardens
  • Training programme for industry representatives
  • Conference: Plants impact on human health and society
04

Maintained cross-border touristic promotion campaign

  • Web page of the NATESS project
  • Promotional material
  • Hosting
  • Utilization of forest selfness and thermal tourism in the region
  • Establish a cross border cluster, Study tour for press correspondents
People

A Cross-Border Team Developing Selfness Tourism in the Region

Considering that the transnational cooperation program is aimed at addressing common challenges that were identified in the region, we are acting together to strengthen and diversify the tourism offer, enable better management and sustainable use of cultural and natural heritage in order to contribute to the development of tourism.

Activity Plan

Follow or join us in encouraging tourism and cultural heritage cooperation in action: 

  • Act. 1.1 Reconstruction of Forest selfness center - Food corner; Lecture part

    April 2021
  • Act. 1.2 Construction of Forest bungalows

    APRIL 2021
  • Act 1.3 Construction of Forest Amphitheatre

    APRIL 2021
  • Act. 1.4 Creation of health path

    APRIL 2021
  • Act. 1.5 Creation of sensory garden

    APRIL 2021
  • Act. 2.1 Joint research on the impact of how natural elements impact on guests

    APRIL 2021
  • Act. 2.2 ECONOMIC MODELLING FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF IRIG, MÓRAHALOM and Kiskunsagi National Park

    November 2019 - February 2020
  • Act. 2.3 Marketing plan for tourism development in the region

    March - Jun 2020
  • Act. 2.4. Different tree species and its compounds at Fruška Gora mountain

    November 2019 - February 2020
  • Act.3.1 Forest Workshops

    March - Jun 2020
  • Act. 3.2 Seminar on sensory gardens

    July - October 2019
  • Act. 3.3 Training programme for industry represenatives

    March - Jun 2020
  • Act.3.4 Conference: Plants impact on human health and society

    July - October 2020
  • Act. 4.1 Web page of NATESS project

    July - October 2019
  • Act. 4.2 Promotional material

    March - Jun 2020
  • Act.4.3 Hosting

    November 2018 - October 2020
  • Act 4.4 Utilization of Forest selfness and thermal tourism in the region

    November 2019 - February 2020
  • Act. 4.5 Establish a cross border cluster, Study tour for press correspondents

    March - Jun 2020

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The content of the press release is the sole responsibility of Municipality of Irig and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union and/or the Managing Authority.