Amazon of Europe Bike Trail

Closed

From the Alps to the Pannonian Plain, the Amazon of Europe is the largest natural river system in Central Europe. Amazing river landscapes along Mura, Drava and Danube will soon be protected as the world´s first 5-country biosphere reserve. Under UNESCO protection, biosphere reserves are model regions where nature conservation goes hand in hand with sustainable regional development. However, despite over 20 years of efforts in protecting the area, the 11 border regions of AT, SI, HR, HU and SR are underdeveloped, facing loss of jobs and emigration. Amazon of Europe Bike Trail will be the first project joining the efforts of 5 countries for sustainable economic development of the region based on valorisation of natural and cultural resources. We will implement a joint integrated solution for sustainable biking tourism in the Amazon of Europe while preserving the environment. To develop AoE Bike Trail as advanced flagship sustainable product and unique brand, 15 organisations from the area will firstly establish the organisational and information system, resulting in a joint bookable product with clear unique selling proposition of incredible riverine landscapes. Based on nature-oriented visitor guidance, existing single bike routes will be equipped with commonly designed infrastructure (resting areas, info points), resulting in more than 1000 km of joint Bike Trail along both sides of the Mura, Drava and Danube. Skills and knowledge of public and private organisations will be enhanced by their trainings on sustainable tourism within the AoE Bike Trail Academy. The essential innovative aspect is the valorisation concept, defining how the share of booking revenues will finance protected areas, resulting in fair distribution of benefits between the locals, visitors and nature. Thus, the project will implement the joint vision of living rivers for people and nature and establish the Amazon of Europe as a top destination in Europe for sustainable eco-tourism.

Medium