Amazing AoE Responsible Green Destination Amazon of Europe

UNESCO Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Mura Drava Danube (TBR MDD) is connecting 12 protected areas and uniting 5 countries along 3 rivers into first world pentalateral biosphere reserve. The area known as Amazon of Europe (AoE) represents the largest and most preserved free-flowing river system in Central Europe. Pristine natural beauty, endangered habitats and diverse cultural traditions have enormous potential for sustainable tourism, while underdeveloped border regions face lack of capacities, unemployment and emigration.

DTP project AoE Bike Trail is the first development project in TBR MDD, connecting key stakeholders into one linear biking product. The results (network, booking system, valorisation programme) will be substantially upgraded with this project into truly responsible destination AoE, by developing much-needed joint strategies, IT solutions and learning interactions at significantly broader destination level.

Project aim is to enhance sustainable economic growth and tourism development based on distinctive natural and cultural heritage, which will result in collaboration network of key actors and enabling environment for high-quality tourism, responding to limited resources of ecosystems.

AoE destination will be a joint and integrated solution for sustainable tourism, including:
- Green Destination Tourism Impact Model, combining social and technological innovation;
- joint strategy and management model for the destination,
- joint flagship tourism products connecting top experiences along the rivers: River Trail, Hiking Trails, AoE Experiences,
- model validation in 2 transnational pilot areas and training stakeholders for responsible green destination.

Amazing AoE will bring sustainable development opportunities for managing diversity of natural and cultural heritage and resources in AoE from local to transnational level, while enabling unique experiences for international visitors.