Gerecse Nature Park Visitor Center
About this good practice
Previously, there was no entry point for tourists arriving in the area to the well-known hiking region. The site is also a pilgrimage location that they wanted to make more accessible to a wider audience. The visitor center and its infrastructure, such as parking lots, provide an excellent starting point for hikers, while the buffet and restroom facilities enhance guest satisfaction. The staff can also draw attention to the site's other sacred values and treasures. The visitor center is visited by hikers, trekkers, and pilgrims, and as a result, the attendance of the nearby pilgrimage site, shrine, and tourist accommodation has also increased.
Resources needed
The investment was carried out by the Salesian Order with the help of 535 000 euros in European Union grant funding. At least 3 staff members are needed to operate the center, working in shifts due to weekend and holiday opening hours.
Evidence of success
An infrastructurally organized entry point has been created in an natural environment, connected to the opportunities provided by the pilgrimage site. Yearly more than 5000 visitors seeking tranquility can park in an organized manner because 100 parking places were established (instead of cars parking dangerously along the road next to the forest). The established 1 pilgrimage trail attracts more visitors, and organized waste disposal options (5places) have eliminated littering in nature.
Potential for learning or transfer
This project can provide a good example of how to open pilgrimage sites and make them interesting for non-religious tourists as well, while also extending and slowing down the time spent in nature – such as visiting exhibitions or enjoying leisurely time in a café after a hike.
Further information
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Ister-Granum