REVITAS

Project summary

Specific cross-borders objects of the project were: stopping deterioration of Istrian hinterland with protection of cultural heritage and promotion of development and tourism integrated products; creating a cross-border tourist destination and promotion of sustainable tourism in Istrian rural area, based on cultural and natural rich resources of the area. The achieved results for target groups are: the development of Istrian hinterland revitalization model, with intention to secure sustainable development of the hinterland; the development of integrated tourist product and services with purpose of shaping unique cross border tourist destination of Istria; the improvement and renewal of tourism infrastructure, and renewal of cultural heritage with purpose of increasing tourism offer in area of Istrian hinterland; stimulation of cross-border cultural exchange and events, with purpose of increasing level of awareness of local inhabitants and other interest groups, on cultural and developmental potentials of Istrian hinterland. The project has created a network of info centers, joint cross-border educational and cultural exchange that has additionally contributed to the development of human resources in cross-border area and exchange of experiences concerning development potentials in Slovene and Croatian Istria. All project activities have contributed to the creation of recognizable common destination Istria, cross-border tourist itineraries and routes, and recognizable Istrian identity (with no concern on state borders), based on common history, respecting local specificities, raising awareness of local population on values and uniqueness of the inner Istria territory. Project has enabled the flux of tourists from urban coastal areas to inner rural areas (info centers) by environmentally acceptable means of transport (bicycle and walking paths), sustainable developing cross-border destination, and at the same time, by means of modern communications technology (info points kiosks) easy access to data on locality with insight into offer of the whole destination Istria. In such manner, trough increased integrated cross-border offer, project has influenced extension of tourism season and economy of the whole cross-border area, where the main source of income is tourism.