As you know by now,
seven challenges by seven Slovenian tourism businesses are published at the following web site:
http://btps-izzivi.turistica.si/ . Challenges are to be solved by tourism professionals, tourists, students and other individuals with innovative ideas. Below you will find a description of the challenge set by one of the most innovative tourist agencies in Slovenia, Kompas Novo mesto.
Company description:
Kompas Novo mesto is ranked among the most innovative tourist agencies in Slovenia. This is proved by the four tourist packages which made it to the final of the Slovene Tourist Board's Sejalec award:
2004 – On the Dolenjska and Bela krajina heritage trails
2007 – Rafting on Rudolph's raft
2008 – The story of cviček at the Matjaž farmhouse
2009 – Regional network of themed trails
This year, we are candidates for the final of the Sejalec with our package, Cottage Tourism, and candidates for the Snovalec with Excursions with an audio-video guide in an open-top bus named Jolly Janez.
Dolenjska, with the exception of the Krka spa, does not have a recognised tradition of tourism, so we are developing innovative programmes which, above all, include eco tourism – which our region was made for. In this, we are providing development for permanent tourism in the countryside, which does not have the ambition to become a mass tourist destination, but rather a destination for people who want to experience a holiday in beautiful, unspoilt nature. Within "green tourism", we provide two types of tourism products: cultural tourism (on the Dolenjska and Bela krajina heritage routes) and active tourism (HTN – hiking, cycling, horse riding, boating, etc.)
Challenge description:
Each one of our "green tourism" packages is innovative and, for the packages presented below, we are looking for ideas for their innovative marketing and promotion (either as an individual product or group of products). Your suggestions can be presented in any way, but preference will be given to the more detailed proposals. Our criteria for selection will on the basis of the most economically efficient, green-natured and eye catching suggestions, with a unique method of promoting our ideas.
Rafting on Rudolf's raft along the river Krka – Sejalec finalist in 2007
Rudolf's raft sums up the tradition of rafting on the river Krka, which we have adapted for tourism purposes. The raft sails along the curve of the river Krka, which embraces the old part of Novo Mesto. Not only is the trip itself attractive, but we also pass under four very different bridges, past Kamen castle and Novi dvor (now a hospital). It is then possible to see the monastery church of St. Nikolaj, which is situated at the top of the hill, Breg, which has been the most loved subject for many painters, the Franciscan church and monastery and the green Gorjanci hills. The interesting animation program is also fun and is carried out by various people (washerwoman Mica from Krka, Primičeva Julija, harmonica players and rafters) in various languages. Of course, we also serve Dolenjska's speciality wine, cviček, as well as true Dolenjska barley. At the end, we present participants with beautiful unique homemade craft items. Every year, we transport more than 5,000 travellers from both Slovenia and around the world (including visitors from China and America). As an environmentally-friendly agency, we donate part of the ticket price to preserving the river Krka.
For more information:
www.kompas-nm.si/rudolfov-splav/
The story of cviček at the Matjaž farmhouse – winner of the silver Sejalec award in 2008
The Matjaž farmhouse has succeeded as a classic tourism production visit and accommodation in a traditional farmhouse, with an unobtrusive annexe for the promotion of Dolenjska's special wine. The renovation itself is exemplary. However the main purpose of the building is hidden in the multi-layered approach to the project, which simultaneously promotes cultural heritage and wine culture as well as having an important influence on the growth of cviček's reputation and the development of tourism in small Dolenjska villages, as is written in the commentary for the silver Sejalec award. In this natural village environment with beautiful views of the Gorjanci hills and the Krka river valley, we have succeeded in preserving and renewing the pleasant cottage environment constructed from wood, stone and straw which makes guests, or groups who come for a visit or to sleep here feel great.
For more information:
www.matjazeva-domacija.si
Regional network of themed trails (HTN net – finalist for Sejalec in 2009)
It contains more than 1,400 km of hiking, mountain bike, riding and water trails. All are recorded on terrain using GPS and placed on a web site. Here, tourists can view all trails, see elevation profiles, trail descriptions, all natural and cultural sites which are on the way, catering options as well as an animation showing the route. As we look after the environment, we did not print heavy catalogues containing the routes but placed all information on the website. There are two possibilities from here: either print an individual route on paper or, even better, transfer it to your GPS, which will then lead you along the route. Using this innovative approach, we avoided pollution of the environment caused through setting up signs. We only put these on walking routes when they were absolutely necessary. Dimensions and appearance of the signs were first coordinated with the help of the Institute for the Protection of Natural Heritage. We chose side paths that are attractive and safe.
For more information:
www.slovenia-heritage.net/tp
Cottage tourism (candidate for the finals of Sejalec 2010)
Cottage tourism is a new, and on a worldwide scale a unique tourist product. There are more than 1,500 cottages in the Dolenjska, Bela krajina and Posavje areas which are mostly unused. Up to now, only close friends have used them, but now we can offer them to tourists. The cottages are based in attractive locations with incredible views of our Dolenjska hills and vineyards and you will be able to enjoy our themed trails (hiking, cycling, horse-riding and boating), the excellent wellness spas Terme Krka and Terme Čatež, swim in the Krka and Kolpa rivers, or equally enjoy the quiet, green lushness and bird song. As well as reviving our wine hills, production contributes to the preservation of our cultural landscape. Given the considerable drop in demand for wine, we have provided a package which gives new avenues for the sale of wine, encourages cottage owners to renovate and improve the area, particularly vineyards which contribute to the preservation of our cultural landscape.
For more information:
www.zidanice.si
The
winner who receives from
75 to 90 points will receive the following prize: Organisation of an unforgettable day on the river Krka and the Dolenjska hills and to vineyards for a group of up to 30 people. On arrival at Novo Mesto, we will board Rudolph's raft and sail along the river Krka with a rich animation program. After rafting we will leave in Slovenia's first open-topped bus in which we will view Novo Mesto, drive past Otočec castle to the Grčevje wine hill at a height of 500 m which provides an excellent panoramic view of Dolenjska. We will view the renovated baroque altar of St Jurij and then descend to the Matjaž farmhouse, where we will view the farmhouse which is part of the European network of traditional houses as well as the "Story of Cviček". At the end we will taste cviček ingredients and snacks, and will finish with royal cviček.
Shall the winning idea receive
more than 90 points, the winner will receive an additional prize: 5-day package in the Dolenjska cottage for 4 people, including accommodation in the cottage, welcome party with snacks and wine tasting, bicycle hire, transport by Rudolf's raft, visit to the Matjaž farmhouse and the "Story of Cviček", visits to the honey shop and the Struga castle.
Deadline for all challenge solutions is 22nd September 2010. Solutions are to be submitted at http://btps-izzivi.turistica.si/.