AN ANALYSIS OF THE INCLUSION OF TOURISM IN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES UN JOINT PROGRAMME “SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT” AN ANALYSIS OF THE INCLUSION OF TOURISM IN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES UN JOINT PROGRAMME “SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT” Report prepared by: Bojan Zečevid, PhD University of Belgrade Faculty of Economics The views expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the United Nations Development Programme. Belgrade, January 2011 CONTENT CONTEXT ........................................................................................................................... 1 Background ................................................................................................................... 1 The purpose of report .................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. DESCRIPTION OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES ...................................................................... 3 Lower Danube ............................................................................................................... 3 Eastern Serbia ............................................................................................................. 13 Central Serbia .............................................................................................................. 21 Southern Banat on the Danube .................................................................................. 28 ANALYSIS - EVALUATION OF STRATEGIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................. 33 Evaluation of local development strategies ............................................................... 33 Recommendations ...................................................................................................... 35 ANNEX ........................................................................................................................... 37 List of analysed strategies ........................................................................................... 37 CONTEXT Background Partnerships for development and combating poverty are cornerstones of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The commitment entrenched in the MDG8 calls for partnerships between governments, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders, to develop and implement strategies to improve quality of life for children, women and men in rural areas. In order to support rural development, UN agencies (UNDP, UNEP, FAO, UNWTO and UNICEF) and Serbian national partners (Ministry of Economy & Regional Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Water Management and the Tourism Organisation of Serbia), as principal partners, will implement the Joint Programme Sustainable Tourism for Rural Development. The programme’s two key outcomes will be achieved through cooperation between the partners. Outcome 1 (National Level): a developed legal and policy framework to support diversification of the rural economy through tourism contributes to attaining the Millennium Development Goals. This outcome is implemented at the national level through support for the Government to: a.) develop a National Rural Tourism Master Plan; b.) develop a National Rural Development Programme; and c.) provide guidance for public investments. Outcome 2 (Local and Regional Level): Local rural tourism and support industries are better connected and organised, while the capacity of local stakeholders to deliver services and products in line with national strategies is improved. This outcome is implemented in four target regions at the local and regional level and aims to provide support to local rural planning and destination development and management. A Joint UN Fund for Sustainable Rural Tourism will provide investments in three thematic 1 windows: a.) Tourist Destination Development; b.) Diversification of Rural Economy through Tourism; and c.) Active Learning Tourism Investments. Programme interventions will target the regions of Central Serbia, Eastern Serbia, South Banat on the Danube and the Lower Danube. The following target municipalities1 are included: Central Serbia - Valjevo - Ljig - Kosjerid - Gornji Milanovac - Mionica Eastern Serbia - Negotin - Zaječar - Knjaževac - Pirot - Dimitrovgrad South Banat on the Danube - Alibunar - Bela Crkva - Kovin - Vršac Lower Danube - Požarevac - Veliko Gradište - Golubac - Majdanpek - Kladovo. Having in mind the purpose of UN joint Programme – support to tourism development in targeted regions – the purpose of this report is to analyse the content of local development strategies in terms of the inclusion of the tourism aspect, as well as recommendations for tourism aspect implementation in local strategies. The first part of the report presents components for tourism development which are part of local development strategies in all 19 targeted municipalities. Based on this description, the second part of the report presents the analysis of identified omissions , and reccomendation on how to improve inclusiveness of tourism aspect in local development strategies. 1 Some key non-tourism statistics can be found in annexed tables. 2 DESCRIPTION OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES Lower Danube Požarevac The Sustainable Development Strategy of Požarevac City from 2009 to 2013 was adopted by the Požarevac City Council on 10.04.2009. The Strategy notes tourism as an explicit development potential, primarily because of the existence of attractive sites, which, it is emphasised, are yet to be exploited. Listed tourist attractions include: Archaeological sites: Viminacium - the remains of military fortifications and the capital of the Roman province of Upper Moesia, Margum - prehistoric site and later Roman fort, Rukumija - Bronze Age site and Malinac - site dating back to prehistoric times (Bronze Age) The “Ljubičevo” Complex - located near Požarevac, it is considered one of the oldest horse stables in Serbia (established 1853.) Sacral objects: Rukumija Monastery - dating back to medieval times and attributed by folk tradition to endowments of Prince Lazar; Sestroljin Monastery - belongs to the monastery circle (Sestroljin, Rukumija and Bradača), which is associated with the folk legend of the tragic fate of a girl named Jelica; Local resorts and parks: Ethno Park Tulba - a unique museum in nature boasting several items of folk architecture from the late 19th century and a monument dedicated to the Požarevac Peace (1718.); Čačalica Memorial Park - located on a hill of the same name above the town; the “Bambi” amusement park - sports, entertainment and 3 recreation centre for children, “Moravian Lagoon” - Velika Morava riverside area, extending upstream from Ljubičevo; Events: Ljubičevo equestrian games - traditionally organised, since 1964, during September and representing a holiday for all lovers of horses and equestrian sports; the November Days of Culture in Požarevac, Biennial Milena Pavlovid Barili, Days of Milivoje Živanovid (actors’ ceremony); Milica Revisited. The Strategy defines seven priority areas: infrastructure development; creation of a healthier environment; economic development; tourism and culture development; development of agricultural production and better organisation of farmers; better social and health care and higher quality of education. Tourism is the subject of the fourth priority area, but is also present in the third (Economic Development), where - under measure 3.1 (Preparation of Areas for Investments) - indicators are provided that are de facto indicators of congress tourism development (built Congress and Exhibition Centre and a number of staged seminars, conferences, exhibitions). The fourth priority area (Development of Tourism and Culture) places emphasis on both tourism infrastructure, in terms of accessibility and signage (primarily related to the Hippodrome, Ljubičevo Stable and Viminacium), resources in the field of culture and capabilities of their “conversion” into tourism resources. Accordingly, two measures are provided: Construction and Reconstruction of Tourism Infrastructure and Promotion of Cultural Heritage for Tourism Purposes. Finally, a project suggestion is also given that includes elements related to tourism development, with responsibilities, implementation of time frame, assessment of priorities and funding sources. Veliko Gradište The Local Strategy of Sustainable Development of Veliko Gradište, adopted by the Assembly on 27th May 2010, states that the municipality’s advantages lie in its very favourable, attractive tourism location and geographical position, available workforce, as well as free commercial premises and accommodation facilities that require minor investments. The strategy singles out the following as the most important investment locations: Location of Silver Lake - a tourism-sports-recreation centre, with hotel, holiday apartments and sports facilities. Location of Ram - a weekend village covering 2 - 3 hectares. Location of Zatonje – weekend village covering 3 - 4 hectares (requires complete infrastructure - electricity, water, sewage with bio-filters - and completion of infrastructure and road network at Silver Lake). Location of Beli Bagrem campsite at Silver Lake – already established as an auto camp covering 50,250m2 of woodland with acacia, poplar and birch – requires continuation of the pedestrian trail. Has its own beach, well for water supply and sanitary works. Location of Marina - owned by “Silver Lake”. Conclusions of the analysis