CROSSDEST
In 2023, we developed the proposal titled "Cross-Border Destination Development for Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism in the Slovenian-Hungarian Border Region" (CROSSDEST) in collaboration with Hungarian and Slovenian municipalities and tourism organizations. The proposal was submitted in January 2024 under the Interreg VI-A Slovenia-Hungary 2021–2027 program. The application was approved, and the project implementation is set to begin in the autumn of 2024.
Project Budget:- Total budget: €936,312.00
- ERDF funding: €585,685.20
- Hévíz Tourism Nonprofit Ltd.
- Pannon European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Ltd.
- Murska Sobota Development Center
- Lendava Institute for Tourism and Development
- Goodplace – Institute for Sustainable Tourism
- Sárvár Tourist & TDM Nonprofit Ltd.
- Innotime Hungary Consulting and Service Ltd.
Currently, 90% of all overnight stays in Slovenia occur in destinations certified under the Green Destinations (GD) system, accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Additionally, an increasing number of attractions and tourism service providers are earning sustainability certifications within the Slovenia Green program. Sustainability is now a key driver of tourism in Slovenia, influencing both industry stakeholders and visitors.
In contrast, sustainable tourism development in Hungary remains in its early stages. However, international pressure is mounting, as the lack of GSTC-recognized sustainability certifications diminishes the region’s competitiveness. Addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive approach, encompassing public awareness, the development of sustainable systems, the improvement of service providers' sustainability practices, and the transformation of the destination brand.
More than two-thirds of global travelers seek sustainable destinations. The Slovenian-Hungarian border region can only position itself as a unified, sustainable tourism destination if Hungarian destinations achieve GSTC sustainability certification. Furthermore, a sustainable destination cannot exist without sustainable service providers, making it essential for more attractions and tourism businesses to obtain sustainability certifications. Simultaneously, a cross-border tourism network must be established, where members collaborate on joint tourism products under a unified sustainability brand.
Challenges to AddressThe four municipalities involved in the project are individually well-known internationally, attracting distinct but evolving target audiences, especially post-COVID. However, to transform the region into a cohesive cross-border destination with repeat visitors and extended stays, the following issues must be addressed:
- Significant disparities in sustainability and accessibility preparedness
- Lack of a comprehensive quality management program that ensures consistent services for key target groups (e.g., families, pet owners, cyclists, seniors) in line with international standards
- Absence of a unified and up-to-date tourism information system that provides personalized insights into the region’s tourism offerings on both sides of the border, including local products
- Lack of collaboration among tourism stakeholders and local producers, resulting in fragmented regional offerings and missed opportunities to leverage the circular economy
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Green Destinations Certification:
- Based on Murska Sobota’s best practices, all project partners will work toward obtaining GD certification while Murska Sobota aims for at least Silver-level certification.
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Pilot Programs for Regenerative Tourism:
- Four pilot programs will be implemented—one at each location—to strengthen regenerative tourism. The developed programs will be transferable between locations.
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Sustainability Certification Support:
- At least 20 attractions and 40 service providers will be prepared for GD’s Good Travel Seal certification.
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Circular Economy Pilot Program:
- A pilot program supporting the circular economy will be developed and implemented across the four partner municipalities.
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Sustainable Quality Management and Monitoring System:
- A quality management and monitoring system aligned with international standards will be developed to support sustainability efforts.
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Unified Methodology for Sustainability Standards:
- All partners will adopt a standardized approach based on GD criteria.
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Digital Sustainability Monitoring Platform:
- Innotime Hungary will develop a digital platform enabling all partners to monitor their sustainability performance, including a sustainability index for destinations and tourism services.
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Sustainable Tourism E-Learning Program:
- A comprehensive e-learning curriculum will be created for all tourism service providers in the region, covering sustainability criteria and cross-border tourism values.
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Mentorship & Training for Tourism Service Providers:
- A unified mentorship program will prepare tourism businesses for international certification, while the circular economy pilot program will integrate local producers on both sides of the border.
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Cross-Border Destination & Product Development:
- By the project’s completion, municipalities will offer consistent high-quality services, and attractions and service providers will collaborate on new cross-border tourism products.
The project consists of four main components:
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Unified Quality Management System
- A standardized quality management framework based on GSTC criteria will be developed to support sustainable tourism development at both the destination and service provider levels.
- This system will also prepare destinations, attractions, and tourism service providers for international sustainability standards.
- By the end of the program, participating destinations will achieve Green Destinations certification, and at least 40 tourism businesses will be eligible for Good Travel Seal certification.
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Cross-Border Monitoring & Data Integration
- A unified monitoring system will be established, connecting to the European Commission’s Common European Tourism Data Space.
- This system will provide standardized indicators and data collection methodologies, allowing destinations and tourism businesses to assess their service levels and benchmark their sustainability index within the region.
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Sustainable Tourism Product Development
- Each project partner will develop a sustainable tourism product to align with regional sustainability efforts.
- The pilot projects will showcase various sustainability experiences, with a fine-tuning period to optimize implementation.
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Cross-Border Tourism Database
- A tourism database will be created to facilitate cross-border trip planning for individual visitors and business collaborations among tourism service providers.
- The database will include services from at least the four participating destinations, with the potential for future expansion.
- The project will ensure broad participation of regional tourism providers to maximize available offerings.
The project is co-financed by the European Union and supported by the Hungarian Government.
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What does accessibility mean on the I-DEST platform?
During the development of I-DEST, we created a unique accessibility evaluation system that integrates international certification standards while introducing stricter requirements in certain areas. This ensures that people with disabilities can identify and access services tailored to their needs. The system aims to provide an accurate and transparent framework for assessing accessibility, considering the real needs of individuals with different types of disabilities.
The foundation of this evaluation system was built through close collaboration with advocacy organizations representing people with disabilities. This cooperation ensured that the filters and badges indicating accessibility on our platform are both practical and effective in real-world scenarios. Special attention was given to the needs of individuals with various disabilities, including those with mobility impairments, visual and hearing impairments, and cognitive challenges, during the development of the standards.
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I-DEST for travel agencies
The I-DEST program supporting sustainable tourism helps travel agencies make their operations more sustainable while expanding their customer base and enhancing market competitiveness. I-DEST provides opportunities for agencies to align with global sustainability standards, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Green Destinations Standard, which are increasingly important to eco-conscious travelers. Additionally, the program facilitates the inclusion of local communities and businesses in travel offerings, strengthening the economy and culture of destinations.
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Imprint
Responsible publisher: InnoTime Hungary Kft.
Represented by: Csaba Kedves, CEO and Júlia Nagy, CEO
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Sales, marketing: info@innotime-hungary.com
Web: www.innotime-hungary.com
E-mail: info@innotime-hungary.com
Telephone: +36 70 635 25 84
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Chamber membership: BO-26278902
Editorial staff of www.i-dest.com:
Mailing address: 3335 Bükkszék, Petőfi u. 2.
Phone: +36 70 635 25 84
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Geoparks, National Parks, Nature Reserves - and the I-DEST
The I-DEST offers unique solutions for geoparks, national parks, and nature reserves to simultaneously preserve natural values and enhance visitor experiences. The system supports the achievement of conservation goals by continuously monitoring visitor numbers, behavior, and their impact on the environment. Additionally, it aids in the development of sustainable tourism programs that protect natural assets while offering attractive experiences.
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I-DEST for cultural routes
Within the I-DEST everything needed to operate a well-functioning cultural route is available:
- multiplatform and fully accessible interface
- interactive map
- route management
- site management
- virtual stamp collection
- gamification
- virtual tour guide (bound to individual POIs as well as bound to the route as a whole)
- visitor management
- real-time internal information system
- visitor feedback
- monitoring data, statistics
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I-DEST for accomodations and hospitality business
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Thematic and regional tourism networks
Our platform aims to foster collaboration, support sustainable development, and enhance tourism offerings. Whether it involves thematic interest groups, regional tourism organizations, or any other network, I-DEST provides tools and solutions to effectively support the achievement of their goals.
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I-DEST for families
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Pet-friendly badge in I-DEST
In the I-DEST system, we place special emphasis on pet-friendly services. For us, it is not enough for a venue to simply allow the entry of pets; we believe it is essential to ensure that our four-legged guests feel comfortable and safe. Pet-friendly services are categorized by service type, and our quality assurance program evaluates them based on a detailed set of criteria.
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Cyclist-Friendly Badge in the I-DEST System
On the I-DEST platform, service providers who are committed to meeting the needs of cycling tourists can earn the Cyclist-Friendly Badge.
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Sustainability
The goal of i-dest.com is to showcase how tourism can become more environmentally conscious, responsible, and sustainable. On our website, you will find destinations and tourism services that place a strong emphasis on sustainability. We aim to help you easily identify which locations and providers support sustainable development and contribute to environmental protection and the well-being of local communities.
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Privacy Policy
We place a strong emphasis on the protection of your personal data.
This Privacy Statement outlines the information concerning the management of such data. Please note that you may voluntarily provide your consent for the processing of your personal data on the i-dest.com website.
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Contact
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