Concept of Sustainable Tourism Development Action Programme

Mission of the document
Tourism is a dynamically increasing activity
which significantly participates in the economic
development of the Šumava region.
Undoubtedly tourism in the entire territory
seems to have a considerable potential even
for the future. The intention to take advantage
of its long-term advancement led to the update
of the Tourism Development Concept for
Šumava, which is based on the current
situation analysis and contains a plan of
activities aimed at sustainable tourism
development in the Šumava region.
As to its program, the presented concept of
tourism development corresponds with the
document „Tourism in the Šumava region –
Developmental concept of tourism and action
plan“ of 1995, and with its updated version of
2001. Unlike the preceding materials, the new
document focuses on tourism quality and on its
relation to the environment and nature
conservation.
The principal objectives were to react to new
stimuli in tourism emerging at various levels –
local, nation-wide as well as international, to
involve political changes ensuing from our
membership in the EU and very recently from
our attachment to the countries of Schengen
area. It was necessary to provide regional
tourism organizations with the most concrete
guidelines in the sense of destination
management, with a sphere of action covering
the whole Šumava region. Another reason for
the concept update was the UNEP/GEF
international project „Soft tourism – an
opportunity for the Šumava Biosphere
Reserve“ which instigated the creation of
sustainable tourism strategy for the Šumava
Biosphere Reserve. The common outcome
strives for an acceptable compromise between
entrepreneurial activities and environment
protection within the area of Šumava, so
valuable in respect of natural values.
The presented concept mainly represents „a
scope of opportunities“. Its plan of action
includes a list of subjects which can take
immediate use of the opportunities, but it is
also meant for those who decide to participate
in the wide range of activities defined in the
document. It concerns all subjects engaged in
tourism, in state administration and local
government, regional authorities, communities
and communal associations, entrepreneurs
and professional associations, tourist
agencies, schools and other NGOs.
The concept is a consensual document
defining opportunities within the broader
Šumava region which is administered by two
neighbouring regions - Jihočeský and
Plzeňský. Its incorporation in the current plans
of regional development means that the
concept consequently becomes a strategic
planning document. As such it should be
comprised in territorial planning of the Šumava
region communities and, as an important input,
in the emerging management plan of the
Šumava National Park.
Social importance of the document can
increase due to its connection with the
process of territorial planning but the main
factor regarding its successful implementation
will always be the commitment and effort of all
involved subjects.
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