Page 196 - 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. 196
challenges of tourism development in protected areas of croatia and slovenia
ly) unspoiled nature, especially wetlands, for purposes of conservation of
biodiversity, under the influence of Agenda 21 and the Ramsar Convention.
This procedural change was followed by spatial planning, periodical evalu-
ations of spaces in accordance with changes in the economic situation, and
the coordination of various interests in the region (Jurinčič, 2011).
Regional development and spatial planning in the European Union is
based on regional policies and pre-defined developmental priorities and fi-
nancial perspectives—at the regional level these are realised via regional
development programmes (RDP). For such pre-defined development pro-
jects that are in accordance with the Spatial Planning Act (2007), state, re-
gional, and local governmental bodies prepare spatial plans in order to en-
act appropriate spatial interventions.
Spatial planning in protected areas is a good tool for management or-
ganisations and is the result of cooperation with the local community and
other stakeholders in protected areas and their surroundings. Park man-
agement authorities can implement a sustainable tourism strategy, con-
ceive and carry it out in their plans, and define protection and development
aims within the spatial planning process.
Spatial planning at the national, regional, and local levels
At present, 13.3% of total Slovenian territory is protected (as areas of na-
ture), out of which Triglav National Park represents 4.1% of the total terri-
tory of Slovenia (Slovenian Environment Agency, 2019b). Thereby, 3 region-
al parks, 46 landscape parks, 1 strict natural reserve, 56 natural reserves,
and 1,164 natural monuments are protected. With the implementation of
the Spatial Development Strategy of Slovenia (Bartol, 2004) in July 2004,
it was estimated that protected nature areas would come to cover 33% of
Slovenia’s territory in the future. To a large extent, the development of sus-
tainable and eco-tourism in protected natural areas is the recommended
practice. However, there are some shortcomings in the implementation of
such plans: the shortage of qualified labour; lack of financing and appro-
priate expertise; lack of interest in municipalities; and lack of political sup-
port—not to mention problems stemming from the reorganisation of states
at the local governance level, and almost non-existent inter-sectoral mutu-
al interest and cooperation (Jurinčič and Bojnec, 2009).
In April 2004, Slovenia endorsed and confirmed the proposal estab-
lishing Natura 2000 areas. Slovenia has been identified as having the high-
est level of biological diversity in the EU. Two hundred and eighty-six are-
194
ly) unspoiled nature, especially wetlands, for purposes of conservation of
biodiversity, under the influence of Agenda 21 and the Ramsar Convention.
This procedural change was followed by spatial planning, periodical evalu-
ations of spaces in accordance with changes in the economic situation, and
the coordination of various interests in the region (Jurinčič, 2011).
Regional development and spatial planning in the European Union is
based on regional policies and pre-defined developmental priorities and fi-
nancial perspectives—at the regional level these are realised via regional
development programmes (RDP). For such pre-defined development pro-
jects that are in accordance with the Spatial Planning Act (2007), state, re-
gional, and local governmental bodies prepare spatial plans in order to en-
act appropriate spatial interventions.
Spatial planning in protected areas is a good tool for management or-
ganisations and is the result of cooperation with the local community and
other stakeholders in protected areas and their surroundings. Park man-
agement authorities can implement a sustainable tourism strategy, con-
ceive and carry it out in their plans, and define protection and development
aims within the spatial planning process.
Spatial planning at the national, regional, and local levels
At present, 13.3% of total Slovenian territory is protected (as areas of na-
ture), out of which Triglav National Park represents 4.1% of the total terri-
tory of Slovenia (Slovenian Environment Agency, 2019b). Thereby, 3 region-
al parks, 46 landscape parks, 1 strict natural reserve, 56 natural reserves,
and 1,164 natural monuments are protected. With the implementation of
the Spatial Development Strategy of Slovenia (Bartol, 2004) in July 2004,
it was estimated that protected nature areas would come to cover 33% of
Slovenia’s territory in the future. To a large extent, the development of sus-
tainable and eco-tourism in protected natural areas is the recommended
practice. However, there are some shortcomings in the implementation of
such plans: the shortage of qualified labour; lack of financing and appro-
priate expertise; lack of interest in municipalities; and lack of political sup-
port—not to mention problems stemming from the reorganisation of states
at the local governance level, and almost non-existent inter-sectoral mutu-
al interest and cooperation (Jurinčič and Bojnec, 2009).
In April 2004, Slovenia endorsed and confirmed the proposal estab-
lishing Natura 2000 areas. Slovenia has been identified as having the high-
est level of biological diversity in the EU. Two hundred and eighty-six are-
194
