REVITAS II

Project summary

Specific cross-borders objectives of the project were: the decline of the interior of Istria, through conservation of cultural heritage and promotion of development and integrated tourist products; creating a joint cross-border tourist destination and promoting sustainable tourism development in the Istrian rural area based on cultural and natural resources. The results achieved by the end of the project were: the implementation and extension a revitalization model of the Istrian interior, that was created within the project REVITAS; potentiating cross-border cultural exchange and events to raise awareness of local population and other interest groups on cultural and development potentials in the rural part of Istria; strengthening and expanding development of joint cross-border tourist destination of Istria; stimulating and developing innovative approach to the use of information and communication technologies (ICT); ensuring conditions for the future revitalization of the area. The project has extended the existing connection of info-centers, by creating 3 EXPERIENTIAL INFO-CENTRES, which have enabled the development of the hinterland and animated tourists in a multimedia way. Within the project, we have developed cross-border education and cultural exchange, which ensured the additional development of human resources of the cross-border area and exchange of experience in development potentials of the Slovenian and Croatian Istria. All project activities have contributed to the extension of created joint cross-border destination of the Istrian hinterland, cross-border tourist itineraries and paths, and created a recognizable Istrian identity, regardless of the state borders. The cross-border joint integrated products have been based on shared history, local specificities, and have raised awareness of local population on value and uniqueness of the rural part of Istria. The project has enabled the flow of tourists from urban areas to the hinterland (by giving them directions through the coastal info-terminal) in a way suitable for the environment (horse paths and pedestrian paths), have revived the development of the cross-border destination, and also enabled a simple flow of information about local specificities within the whole destination of Istria, through the most modern information technology MOBILE APPLICATION – ISTRIA CULTURE. These integrated tourists offers have extended the tourist season, which is also reflected on the cross-border economic activity, of which tourism is an important part.