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”

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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

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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

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•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

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• 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

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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”

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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!)

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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

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Thank you for your attention!

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