Linking natural assets and tradition - Thematic events to improve rural tourism
About this good practice
Hortobágy National Park – as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Starry Sky Park - is a cultural landscape shaped by pastoral societies; this area is linked to the undisturbed night landscape, the pastoral traditions associated with the starry sky and the protection of biodiversity.
In order to combine this group of unique heritage elements and assets, a new type of tourism offer was created building upon the existing values and linking them to each other. This effort was strongly supported by the Night Light project completed in 2021.
The programme includes a horse-drawn carriage ride through the wilderness to see herds of grey cattle and buffalo, racka flocks and a show of stallions, a shepherds' fire and a meal (traditional "slambuc") cooked in a stove in the open air by Hortobágy shepherds, who also regale you with some old stories.
After the dusk stallion drive, the silver-certified starry sky, comes to the fore. During the stargazing hours, an astronomer helps visitors to get to know the constellations that also help the shepherds to find their way, and you will observe the stars of the Milky Way.
The main stakeholders are the Hortobágy Nature Conservation and Gene Preservation Nonprofit Ltd. and the Hortobágy National Park.
The programme is very popular; advance booking is required to participate.
Resources needed
Engaged staff and experts provided by the Hortobágy Nature Conservation and Gene Preservation Nonprofit Ltd. and the Hortobágy National Park.
Evidence of success
The newly introduced updated mix of tourism offers of the Hortobágy National Park was proved to efficiently increase the number of visitors and improve the composition of visitors.
The events strongly provided a new platform to show the natural and cultural heritage of the area.
Due to the pandemia, the progress was frozen but restarted again in 2021.
Potential for learning or transfer
The main advantage of the cooperation between the National Park and the Gene Preservation organisation is that they have been able to present the unique values of the landscape and communities in a new way, as joint custodians of the natural and cultural heritage.
In this way, they promote the Park's many offerings, which has a major impact on the positive image of local values, tradition, nature and gastronomy.
Areas with similar characteristics can shape this new attraction through a new, well-structured and organised portfolio of offers.