CROSSDEST opening event – Sustainable tourism development in the Slovenian-Hungarian border region
The sustainable tourism development of 40 enterprises, 20 attractions and 4 destinations will be implemented within the framework of the project „Cross-border destination development for inclusive and sustainable tourism in the Slovenian-Hungarian border region” (CROSSDEST) under the Interreg VI-A Slovenia-Hungary 2021-2027 programme over the next two years. The first international professional meeting of the project took place on 15 January 2025 in Hévíz, at the NaturMed Hotel Carbona. The aim of the event was to strengthen the partnership and define a common framework for sustainable tourism development.
Slovenia is celebrating its 10th anniversary of sustainable tourism development based on the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) standards this year. 95% of the country's guest nights are now in destinations with international sustainability certification. This achievement has also been recognized by the international organization Green Destinations, as Jana Apih, head of the Slovenian Green Destinations representation, was elected as the organization's executive director in November 2024.
A key element of the CROSSDEST project is that the training programs are implemented jointly by the Slovenian and Hungarian Green Destinations representatives, thus ensuring the uniform application of sustainability standards in both countries.
The seven partners participating in the project – Hévíz Tourism Nonprofit Ltd., Pannon European Territorial Association, Muraszombat Development Center, Lendva Tourism and Development Institute, Goodplace – the institute for sustainable tourism, Sárvár Tourist & TDM Nonprofit Ltd., and Innotime Hungary Consulting and Service Ltd. – have a joint commitment to the unified sustainable development of tourism in the Slovenian-Hungarian border region.
At the opening meeting, the project partners presented their roles and the tasks ahead of them in detail. In the first panel discussion, the representatives of the destinations presented the planned developments. In the second panel, the Slovenian and Hungarian representatives of Green Destinations and the representatives of the Pannon European Territorial Association presented the tools with which they can support the work of the destinations.
The afternoon program focused on supporting local entrepreneurs, presenting the steps that will enable them to obtain sustainability certification.
Over the next two years, the project will not only achieve sustainability certification for participating destinations, but will also create a unified, cross-border tourism network. This network will offer a unified tourism experience based on local products and sustainable services that meets international expectations.
