Discussion Papers 2008.
Visions and Strategies in the Carpathian Area (VASICA) 90-98. p.
12 Tourism in the Carpathian area
12.1 Situation and problems
Tourism is one of the most dynamically developing branches of the economy in the
Carpathian countries. Before the system change, it presupposed a bureaucratic and
humiliating procedure to get a passport and visa to travel abroad. Because of the
non-convertibility of Central European currencies, it was also a very expensive
decision and only few people could afford it. After the system change, most of
these obstacles ceased to exist: visa obligations had been abolished in most rela-
tions and Central European currencies became convertible. It became every citi-
zen’s right to have a passport. Parallel with international tourism, domestic tourism
also increased. Investments in tourism increased as well.
12.1.1 The main indicators of tourism in Carpathian countries are the following
The number of hotels has increased by nearly 60 percent in ten years. The number
of beds increased somewhat slower because new hotels were in average smaller.
The number of guests increased parallel, so capacity utilisation remained constant.
The share of foreign gests (non-residents) increased somewhat from 42 to 46 per-
cent (Table 11–12).
From the different types of tourism, here we have to concentrate on those which
are most important and most specific to the mountainous areas of the Carpathian
region.
Table 11
Number of hotel accommodations in Carpathian countries 1996–2006
Country
Number of hotels
Increase
Number of hotel beds
Increase
in %
in %
1996
2006
1996
2006
Czech Republic
2,737
4,314
157.62
167,058
236,104
141.33
Hungary
1,687
1,921
113.87
127,650
154,060
120.69
Poland
1,247
2,301
184.52
102,272
178,056
174.10
Romania
2,362
4,125
174.64
204,374
226,383
110.77
Slovakia
476
,922
193.70
41,700
57,985
139.05
Total
8,509
13,583
159.63
643,054
852,588
132.58
Source: Eurostat.
Illés, Iván : Tourism in the Carpathian Area.
In: Visions and Strategies in the Carpathian Area (VASICA)
Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2008. 90-98. p. Discussion Papers, Special
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Table 12
Nights spent in the hotels 1996–2006
Country
Nights spent in hotels (in 1000s)
by residents
by non-residents
together
1996
2006
increase
1996
2006
increase
1996
2006
increase
in %
in %
in %
Czech Republic
9,908
8,854
89.36 10,858 17,035 156.89 20,766 25,889 124.67
Hungary
4,135
6,622 160.15
7,449
9,127 122.53 11,584 15,749 135.95
Poland
4,633 13,910 300.24
3,391
7,911 233.29
8,024 21,821 271.95
Romania
16,254 14,929
91.85
2,210
3,169 143.39 18,464 18,098
98.02
Slovakia
3,103
3,142 101.26
3,911
3,650
93.33
7,014
6,792
96.83
Total
38,033 47,454 124.77 27,819 40,892 146.99 65,852 88,346 134.16
Source: Eurostat.
12.1.2 Winter sports tourism
The best winter sport facilities in the Carpathian region are in Slovakia, Poland and
Romania. The best Czech skiing resorts s are outside of the Carpathian region, the
Ukrainian resorts are not yet developed, and Hungary’s ski trails are in a rather
poor condition.
Slovakia is in a special position from this aspect as here winter sport tourism is
the most important kind of tourism for the whole country, while in other countries,
this significance is not so outstanding. More than 30 percent of all tourists in Slo-
vakia come here in the winter season.
Three years ago, in 2004–2005, the storm-wind somewhat spoiled the season, in
2006–2007 there was hardly any snow in this part of Europe. For 2007–2008 ex-
perts are expecting a long and good season. Domestic financial groups have in-
vested a lot into hotels and residence parks. Nevertheless, they wanted to invest
also into ski tracks, pistes and ski-lifts as well. And in this question a new contro-
versy emerged between financial interests and environmentalists. Investors want to
establish these new ski-lifts in the place of the perished forests. The representatives
of the Tatra National Park (TANAP) are not against sport and tourism, but only for
pedestrians, bicycles, in winter only for ski-runners. They insist upon, that at least
half of the National Park must remain intact. Today, there is tree felling economic
activity in all lower areas of the National Park; only clear-felling is prohibited (that
is the consequence of the too large scale, but ambiguously defined NP creation, not
only in Slovakia, but in all Carpathian countries). Conflicts concerning the estab-
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VISIONS AND STRATEGIES IN THE CARPATHIAN AREA (VASICA)
lishment of new ski-lifts emerged in other Carpathian countries (Poland, Ukraine)
as well.
Nowadays, there is a spatial concentration process in winter (ski) sport. Skiers
are choosing the best equipped, most fashionable skiing resorts. E.g. Hungarian
skiers first abandoned the domestic skiing areas then partly also the Slovakian
pistes (earlier it was for most of them the main destination), now they are choosing
the Austrian resorts. In the last years, it happened for the first time that domestic
tourism in Slovakia surpassed the international one. 42 percent of tourists were
Slovaks, 32 percent Czechs, on the third place were with equal 8-8 percent share
Hungarians and Poles. Ukraine and Russia would represent a new tourism poten-
tial, but visa problems are serious obstacles.
In the future, however, Austrian and Slovak ski resorts have to prepare for fac-
ing a larger challenge with much longer duration. It is the climatic change. It is to
be expected that the occurrence of winters with insufficient or no snow will be
more and more frequent. Mountain resorts have to find other attractions for tour-
ism: new sports, new entertainments. In some countries like Austria, it is not only
local but also a national problem.
12.1.3 Rural (village) tourism
Rural (village) tourism is the most dynamic type of tourism in the Carpathian
countries. It cannot yet be compared to the Austrian and German ones, but the dy-
namics is enormous. Especially, if one considers that 20 years ago this kind of
tourism practically did not exist in these countries. In Romania, 20 years ago it was
still prohibited to put up a foreigner in somebody’s home even for one night, and
those who violated this rule could expect severe punishment. Today, there are vil-
lages – also in Romania – where on every second house there is a small sign that
the landlord/landlady is a member of a rural tourism network.
Rural tourism has many advantages and positive impacts:
− It yields additional activity and income for the rural population and in this
way it is an instrument against the depopulation of rural areas.
− It enables a closer contact between host and guest and – if the language is not
an obstacle – it helps to get more and genuine information about life and
customs of the visited county, region and settlement, than in an international
standard hotel. But also for hosts: tourists are not any more strange aliens, but
human beings who enjoy their company and are interested in their lives.
But, undoubtedly, rural tourism has also some dangers:
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− It contributes to the differentiation of villages in a certain area. Not all vil-
lages have equal access to tourism possibilities. Villages, having some his-
toric, natural or even literary sights, or closer to tourist routes or highways,
have better chance to host rural tourists than others. By the passing of time it
can cause substantial welfare differences. It can even sharpen national con-
flicts (if German tourists are accommodated in German and Hungarians in
Hungarian villages, while neighbouring Romanian villages are excluded from
this money making opportunity).
− Rural tourism can deform the image of villages. Hosts, in order to meet
growing tourist demand, enlarge their houses, or build different buildings for
guests, which, though having all comfort, do not fit to the old village image.
It can be avoided if the building stock is under protection, but only a few vil-
lages can be protected.
− Rural tourism can deform also the people and their customs in the village.
Adapting themselves to the tourists’ expectations, they can loose the essence
of their traditions and customs and are performing a false image of rural life
to the tourists and also to themselves.
In spite of these dangers, rural tourism is one of the most promising kind of
tourism in the Carpathian area and must be enhanced by several instruments. But –
similarly to all other types of tourism – it can have harmful impacts, if it is con-
centrated in a few places. Therefore it should be extended and distributed in the
most equitable way, as far as it is possible.
12.1.4 “Nostalgia” tourism
“Nostalgia” tourism is a kind of tourism, very specific, unique to the Central-Euro-
pean, and even more to the Carpathian area. The name “Nostalgia” does not fully
express the essence of this kind of tourism, but other name could not be found. But
it must to be mentioned here, because it covers a fairly large share of tourism and
tourists in the Carpathian area.
During the wars in the 20th century, state borders in Central Europe have
changed substantially and large groups – several millions – of people have been
resettled from their homes to other areas far away from the original home land.
Most of these people are already dead, but their children and grandchildren are
alive and the memory of old homelands and changed borders were passed over to
them by parents, and they want to see these places. Communist governments
wanted to repress this memory, but after the system change, they came again to the
surface but not always in the most fortunate way. Anyway, millions of young and
old Germans, Hungarians, the Polish people and the Jews wish to see the places,
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VISIONS AND STRATEGIES IN THE CARPATHIAN AREA (VASICA)
cities and villages, which were part also of their family’s history or of their national
history. Poles represent the largest group of tourists in some Ukrainian towns and
cities, Germans in some places in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ro-
mania and Hungarians in some settlements in Slovakia, Ukraine and Romania. And
in the recent time even American and Israeli Jewish tourists have visited some
towns and regions in growing numbers, searching for the roots of their families.
These “nostalgia” tourists were not always welcomed by the new residents of
these places. And also the visitors have not always behaved adequately. But “nos-
talgia” tourism was and is profitable for both parts and – despite difficulties – it
also contributed to the mutual acquaintance and to the overcoming of bad preju-
dices.
European borders do not represent any more obstacles to tourism and travel.
“Nostalgia” tourism will gradually lose its original intention and character. But
tourists, by leaving their country and entering another, should be aware that it is
another country, with other official language, other official names of cities and
places, other customs and regulations, which they have to comply. And the hosts
should accept, that the history of their region is partly a common history shared
with the visitors, and that their visitors- as every human being – have some right
also to “nostalgia”. They can even profit from this type of tourism by offering
guidance and brochures on the language of their visitors.
12.2 Policy recommendations for tourism in the Carpathian region
12.2.1 To create conditions for sustainable tourism in the Carpathian region
The Carpathian Mountains, with their diverse natural treasures and long preserved
traditions, present a lot of ideal sites for tourism development. In some regions
there has been no advantage taken of these values so far, while in quite a number of
other destinations in the Carpathians even mass tourism development has already
begun.
However, if tourism development is to be sustainable in the future, the tourism-
related development of the Carpathian Mountains should be based on the same
overall goals: Long-term economic prosperity of local communities, the preserva-
tion of tourism’s basis – sound nature and lively culture – as well as on ensuring
visitor satisfaction. These goals perfectly support each other and are applicable to
all kinds of (potential) tourist destinations.
Areas where uncontrolled or mass tourism already plays an important role
should try to become more conversant with the principles of sustainability. In other
regions, which face the typical threats of many rural areas, e.g. high unemployment
Illés, Iván : Tourism in the Carpathian Area.
In: Visions and Strategies in the Carpathian Area (VASICA)
Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2008. 90-98. p. Discussion Papers, Special
TOURISM IN THE CARPATHIAN AREA
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rates, poor local economy and migration into cities, starting sustainable tourism
development can offer a viable option with benefits for the entire local community.
Moreover, sustainable tourism development can also serve as an alternative
economic solution where less environmentally and socially friendly economic ac-
tivities threaten the local nature and culture.
Benefits of sustainable tourism for areas with many visitors
A beautiful environment and rich cultural heritage may draw the attention of a
lot of visitors to an area, even if tourism development there is only fragmentary or
non-existent. In these cases, the negative impacts of tourism may be particularly
critical, as unplanned development of singular tourist businesses and infrastructure
leads to unmanageable threats for nature (e.g. through trails that cut through bio-
corridors) and society (e.g. growing inequalities in a region). The consequence
thereof can be the irretrievable ruin of the region’s treasures and thus of its tour-
ism-related potential. In order to prevent such threats and to allow for a controlled
development that benefits the whole local community and its environment in the
long-term, comprehensive sustainable tourism development represents a suitable
alternatives.
Sustainable tourism has potential in areas where tourism is not yet developed
Development approaches very often focus on the economic sector, not taking
into account the impacts of their activities on sensitive local cultures and environ-
ments in the Carpathian Mountains. On the other hand, environmentalists who are
active in the natural environment of the Carpathians concentrate solely on the con-
servation of nature without paying attention to the necessity of the local population
to make a living. The comprehensive approach of sustainable tourism based on the
CBD Guidelines takes into account both important factors: the need to use natural
resources for the well-being of the local population and the obligation to maintain
the natural environment for both its intrinsic value and as a long-term source for
the economic viability of tourism development.
Sustainable tourism as a better alternative
Natural resources represent one of the most important factors for economic de-
velopment in the Carpathian countries. Very often, these resources are used in a
rather short-termed manner, namely by exploitation through logging and mining.
Pointing out merely the economic problems which follow from these forms of use,
two facts have to be mentioned: firstly, that the resources can be capitalised on
only once and secondly, that the benefits derived are not equally shared among the
local population. Sustainable tourism development strives to avoid these short-
comings and thus represents a good alternative. It aims at conserving natural re-
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VISIONS AND STRATEGIES IN THE CARPATHIAN AREA (VASICA)
sources for the sake of enduring economic viability (continual use of resources)
while at the same time using them in order to achieve benefits for the local people.
12.2.2 The Via Carpathica
All Carpathian countries have a network of tourist tracks running through the most
picturesque landscapes and cultural and natural heritage sites of the respective
countries.
One of the Carpathian Project’s actions on the ground is the development of
“Via Carpatica”, a trail network that runs through all of the Carpathian countries
and combines projects and sites with sustainable tourism development. This trail
network will not only underline the importance of a joint strategic approach across
the Carpathians, but will also support the individual sites in a practical manner
through the exchange of best practices and common publicity.
An increasing flow of visitors will benefit from this network. In this respect an
increase of accommodation capacities must be taken into account.
Large accommodation facilities (hotels, motels) and car access must be avoided
at high altitudes; instead huts and camps have to be built in new key locations.
The mountain huts in the Romanian Carpathians became insufficient in the last
decades, as number and capacity, meeting poorly the needs of travellers, as regards
the number of places and comfort.
An important number of mountain huts must be created, with adequate capaci-
ties and services; this type of accommodation being easier to build, the most envi-
ronmental friendly and educative for the public.
Mountain culture must be promoted, by the specialized associations, all over
this network, in order to inform and guide tourists for better understanding the na-
ture, and limitations imposed by this special environment.
12.2.3 Reconstruction or development of Forest Railways for tourism purposes
For many of our tourist areas, transport infrastructure in one form or another al-
ready exists. It may to a greater, or lesser, extent be suitable for use, or for devel-
opment as part of a Tourist Strategy. An impact assessment of its use for what may
be new purposes should be carried out. Thus, many rural areas in the mountain
region have narrow gauge forestry or other industry railways whose industrial use
is either reducing, or has disappeared. The infrastructure, or the works associated
with the line of route may still exist and can be economically reused in one form or
another. This can often be an economical option when compared with opening up
sensitive rural areas by the development of other modal access, particularly uncon-
trolled modes such as roads.
Illés, Iván : Tourism in the Carpathian Area.
In: Visions and Strategies in the Carpathian Area (VASICA)
Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2008. 90-98. p. Discussion Papers, Special
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In this respect, the term Tourist Railways includes railways of any track gauge
and history that can provide a positive benefit to an area’s development by the
sustainable provision of environmentally friendly access to the area or to the spe-
cific attraction concerned.
In most cases, the railway will have been part of the area for many years. The
recycling of its assets to serve for a developing tourism industry provides an alter-
native to use new scarce resources to serve what is in many cases the only potential
source of regeneration of an area and to serve for fostering ion of support for a
sustainable economy for the local population.
It can be observed in many countries that there is a positive “steam effect” that
delivers extra visitor numbers where historic locomotives and rolling stock are
used on tourist trains.
For many years, the planned economies of the Carpathian countries have tended
to separate public transport from local interest as being one of the services pro-
vided by national government. This has prevented changes in local economies be-
ing reflected in changes to local railways, or making such reaction slow, resulting
in alternative solutions such as road transport being founded by the population. The
resulting downward spiral in the economics of operation of local railways has lead
to the inevitable decision at national level of closure.
The need, before it is too late, is to follow the example of other countries that
faced the same situation and to pass the ownership and control of local railways to
local authorities and to local people. By that means, local decisions can be made
which reflect the needs of the local community. Whether it is to run trains at differ-
ent times for market days or special events, or to get the local community and chil-
dren to help tidy up their local station, or even to sell off redundant buildings to
local businesses for conversion for other uses, the best decisions for local and
tourist railways are always going to be the local decisions.
This can be seen in practical examples across the world tourist railways already
existing in every member-state of the Carpathian Convention carrying varying
visitor numbers. Alongside those which operate today there are many potential
projects that could contribute to the regeneration of their local communities as part
of a robust strategy for sustainable tourism paralleling conservation. To achieve
that, there is a need for the recognition of financial support and security to go hand
in hand with local community support sites.
Governments are asked to sign up to a recognition that tourist railways, par-
ticularly those making use of existing heritage equipment and structures that have
been part of their local landscape for many years, can play a vital part in a sustain-
able Tourism strategy.
As such, policies should be put in place to ensure that such assets are protected
against predatory destruction or sale for short-term gain, either privately or by the
local or state authorities.
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VISIONS AND STRATEGIES IN THE CARPATHIAN AREA (VASICA)
Policies are needed to make it possible to transfer ownership and responsibility
for local railways into the care of local communities authorized for making deci-
sions on maximising the contribution of such railways to sustainable regeneration
of their areas. Such transfers should be supported by funding agreements to provide
financial resources for the initial transition to local control and development of a
sustainable business structure in a robust manner.
Positive encouragement is needed to make partnerships of differing organisa-
tions working on brightening the long term future of their region. This includes in
particularthe encouragement of cross-border partnerships of groups with common
interests that could make them more eligible for trans-national project funding.
Tourist Railways are a success story in many countries of the world. The Car-
pathian community of countries, entrusted with one of the few remaining unspoilt
mountain areas in Europe, is able to take steps to ensure that their success can be
spread through this region in partnership with ecological policies to protect the
landscape.