Page 183 - Koderman, Miha, and Vuk Tvrtko Opačić. Eds. 2020. Challenges of tourism development in protected areas of Croatia and Slovenia. Koper, Zagreb: University of Primorska Press, Croatian Geographical Society
P. 183
škocjanski zatok nature reserve: a case study ...
observation tower, placed in a strategic location between the lagoon and
freshwater wetlands, which offers a great panoramic view of the whole pro-
tected area (DOPPS, 2016).
In addition, the visitor centre, which is the main facility of the protect-
ed area, is equipped with a modern lecture room and laboratory for prac-
tical experiments. At the same time, it provides basic services for visitors
who visit the nature reserve (reception with information about the nature
reserve, a shop with souvenirs and products from local Slovenian provid-
ers, and bar with refreshments). In addition to the basic programmes, visi-
tors can rent a hall at the visitors centre to host their events: mostly confer-
ences and workshops.
The stable with Camargue white horses represents an additional at-
traction. Riding horses with professional guidance and walking along the
nature trail is fun for children. It is necessary to mention that Camargue
horses are very important for management of the reserve as they preserve
the vegetation balance of the freshwater part of the reserve by grazing.
Recently, however, they have become an important part of visitor pro-
grammes because visitors like them. Various programmes with hors-
es have been prepared such as “I’m learning and growing with horses”,
which is based on a holistic approach to the horse world. Children are
learning to understand horses as animals and as their friends (DOPPS,
2016).
After the opening of the new visitor facilities in ŠZNR in March 2016,
the number of visitors on a yearly basis has ranged from 52,000 to 58,000
(Tab. 1).
Tab. 1 Number of visitors of Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve after the opening of new
facilities in 2016
Visitors/Years 2016 2017 2018
7,399 7,092 7,401
Guided visitors (groups) 4,580 2,176 2,606
Visitors related to various 51,730 58,240 54,000
programmes
All visitors
Source: DOPPS, 2019
181
observation tower, placed in a strategic location between the lagoon and
freshwater wetlands, which offers a great panoramic view of the whole pro-
tected area (DOPPS, 2016).
In addition, the visitor centre, which is the main facility of the protect-
ed area, is equipped with a modern lecture room and laboratory for prac-
tical experiments. At the same time, it provides basic services for visitors
who visit the nature reserve (reception with information about the nature
reserve, a shop with souvenirs and products from local Slovenian provid-
ers, and bar with refreshments). In addition to the basic programmes, visi-
tors can rent a hall at the visitors centre to host their events: mostly confer-
ences and workshops.
The stable with Camargue white horses represents an additional at-
traction. Riding horses with professional guidance and walking along the
nature trail is fun for children. It is necessary to mention that Camargue
horses are very important for management of the reserve as they preserve
the vegetation balance of the freshwater part of the reserve by grazing.
Recently, however, they have become an important part of visitor pro-
grammes because visitors like them. Various programmes with hors-
es have been prepared such as “I’m learning and growing with horses”,
which is based on a holistic approach to the horse world. Children are
learning to understand horses as animals and as their friends (DOPPS,
2016).
After the opening of the new visitor facilities in ŠZNR in March 2016,
the number of visitors on a yearly basis has ranged from 52,000 to 58,000
(Tab. 1).
Tab. 1 Number of visitors of Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve after the opening of new
facilities in 2016
Visitors/Years 2016 2017 2018
7,399 7,092 7,401
Guided visitors (groups) 4,580 2,176 2,606
Visitors related to various 51,730 58,240 54,000
programmes
All visitors
Source: DOPPS, 2019
181
