Acronym
SlowRivers
NUMBER
PBU2/0889/18
Project type
Micro-project
STATUS
Completed
THEMATIC OBJECTIVE
HERITAGE
PRIORITY
1.2 Promotion and preservation of natural heritage
PARTNERSHIP
PL-UA
LEAD BENEFICIARY
Podkarpackie Regional Tourism Board (Podkarpackie Voivodeship, Poland)
BENEFICIARY
Association of self-governments "Euroregion Carpathians - Ukraine" (Lviv Oblast, Ukraine)
The beautiful area, where the San and Strwiąż rivers flow, is full of large forested areas, a significant number and a huge diversity of animal species. Rich and well-preserved natural environment in the border area of Poland and Ukraine with low population density makes it an attractive place for those who enjoy exploring wild nature. Although the area could be a paradise for nature lovers from all over the world, it is hardly known beyond its borders and its tourism potential is not fully exploited.
The main challenge of the SlowRivers project is to use the potential of the San and Strwiąż rivers basins for developing innovative tourist products, preserving their natural values at the same time. The first part of the project will involve elaboration of the strategy, including an inventory of existing tourist products and the development of new ones, as well as public consultations with local communities. The second part will be devoted to the promotion of new tourist products. During 4 promotional events, participants (tourists and media representatives) will have an opportunity to try out different forms of water activities (such as canoeing, pontoon trips and rafting), learn about the natural heritage of the border area and meet special guests (e.g. nature photography instructor, ornithologist specializing in bird-watching and ichthyologist). New eco-conscious approach to tourism and leisure will be presented and promoted. To assist future travellers, an online multimedia guide will be developed with the information on water trails, maps, descriptions of natural attractions, photos of wild birds and audio recordings of the sounds of nature. Printed materials, such as maps with suggested tourist routes, will be issued and distributed.
The project activities will lead to an increase in tourist traffic in the Polish-Ukrainian border area without harming the natural values. Local communities will become ambassadors of their region, able to promote it and initiate new activities in the field of sustainable tourism and natural heritage protection.
water routes created as part of the project
CULTURAL EVENTS
The nature workshops entitled "A canoeist can be eco-friendly" conducted by an expert in ecology and environmental protection were an additional attraction of the canoeing trips.
The special guest was an ornithologist specializing in bird watching.
The special guest of this traditional rafting trip was an expert in waterfowl and the cultural heritage associated with rafting traditions.
PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGNS
Shared on travel channels run by influencers, the promotional campaigns became a source of inspiration for interesting trips.
"SAN, AH! What a great river it is!" (PL version)
"Strwiąż trip. We travel and fly in the footsteps of the Švejk warrior" (UA version)
PUBLICATIONS
It is a part of the website. It contains information about water routes, route maps, description of natural beauty of the area with interesting facts, photos of wild birds, audio recordings with sounds of nature. It is available in three languages: Polish, Ukrainian and English. It is adjusted to the needs of the blind.
Available in paper and electronic versions. They present sections of the San and Strwiąż rivers selected by experts in water tourism.
With the tourism sector in mind, the document "Slow rivers tourism audit. Inventory and strategic directions for development of tourism in the natural area of the San and Strwiąż rivers" was developed. Its conclusions will help to support the development of tourism in the area through which the rivers flow.
"Slow rivers tourism audit. Inventory and strategic directions for development of tourism in the natural area of the San and Strwiąż rivers"
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