ACTA SZEKSZARDIENSIUM - Pécsi Tudományegyetem Illyés Gyula ...

Wine routes in the south transdanubian tourism region
multi ethnic traditions such as the Folklore Festival Along the Danube (Szekszárd-
Kalocsa- Baja) and the „Busójárás” (Mohács).
The most neglected parts of the attractions of wine tourism are the elements connected
to activities, in turn the natural environment of the area, the Mecsek and the Villányi-
Mountains and the Danube provides adequate aptitude. The reason for the restricted
relation of wine tourism and active tourism is the low configuration of infrastructure
and the visitors’ low awareness of the programs. The protected area of the Danube-Drava
National Park (Gemenc, Béda-Karapancsa) and the oxbows of the Danube provide
numerous opportunities for tourism. The Gemenc forest apart from the study trails and
hiking trails can be ranged over by small trains and small boats as well, it can be roamed
by bicycle on both banks of the river and also water tours can be organised in the area.
The national park is also a paradise for hikers, fishermen and hunters. In Fadd-Dombori
(one-time Danube oxbow) and in the marked strands possibility for bathing is provided.
Numerous medicinal baths (Harkány, Tamási) ensure an opportunity for relaxation in
the environment of the wine districts.
3. The features of the wine route
Wine and wine culture are attractions which are increasingly popular among
Hungarian and foreign tourists. Wine tourism is one of the special types of agro-tourism
which is built on the show and sale of local products (e.g. the wine). The supply for
tourists is formed by the producer or wine growing facility, which implies wine
tasting, wine sale and related accommodation. (SZABÓ, G. 2001)
The transformation of the supply of wine regions into thematic routes may assure
the demonstration of assets and wine tourism the most effectively. Wine routes are a
complex tourism product which provides interesting experience through a specific
supply. It can be operated with success if the participants recognize their common
interests and are able to think in terms of a region. It is a feature of the wine route
that it is based on common local efforts, operated as an organized unit and it offers
qualified services. The products of the wine route are introduced into the market by
the help of communal marketing.
The wine route is not only the line or series of visited cellars but it is a framework
of a programme created according to certain aims which can be organised in very
versatile aspects, on which it can create unique experiences adapted to the special
needs of the visitor (Table 2.). These programmes are raising the significance of the
wine region’s consciousness of culture and gastronomy concerning the domestic
and foreign visitors. (MÁTÉ, A. 2007a, b, c, d, 2009)
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