Project name: Consulting Services for Development of a Sustainable Tourism Master Plan for Sava River Basin
Client: T.H.R. Tourism Industry Advisor, S.L.
Period: 12/2024 – 05/2026
Location: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro
The main objective of the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development in the Sava River Basin is to establish the foundations for the development of ecotourism in Ramsar sites and other protected areas (national parks and UNESCO cultural heritage sites), the development of nautical tourism on the Sava River and its navigable tributaries, and cyclotourism in the Sava River Basin, but which balances the needs of visitors with environmental conservation by minimizing negative impacts on the unique ecosystem, biodiversity, and cultural resources of the basin, while supporting socio-economic development.
The development included the following phases:
D1 – preparation of an introductory report with an overview of the planned activities and methodology for their implementation, the schedule of activities, and key project results and deliverables
D2 – detailed analysis of the current state and potential for the development of ecotourism with an emphasis on protected areas, nautical tourism on the Sava River and its navigable tributaries, and cycling tourism along the Sava River, taking into account political, economic, demographic, social, and spatial-ecological factors. The process also included a series of workshops and field visits in all basin countries – Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro – during which stakeholders jointly identified key opportunities for improvement and responsible investments.
D3 – development of a Master Plan, in accordance with the results of a detailed analysis that defined general principles for sustainable tourism development aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 8.9 and SDG 12b), the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and other good international industry practices, which further defined short-term and long-term strategic objectives for the development of ecotourism in the project areas, nautical tourism on the Sava River and its navigable tributaries and cycling routes along the Sava River. The development of the Master Plan also included the development of an Action Plan and the identification of key programs/activities/projects/investments needed to achieve the established goals, along with a preliminary cost estimate for the identified key programs/activities/projects/investments in the main areas of activity.
D4 – Presentation of the draft Master Plan and development of a summary and promotional brochures in English and five languages of the Sava River Basin.
The project also included the organization of two Stakeholder Forums, the first to present the results of the report on the conducted detailed situation analysis and the second to present the draft Master Plan.
An important part of the project was organising a Forum for Women-headed Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to establish a permanent body aiming to increase women’s participation in economic activities and decision-making in the field of tourism.
Oikon‘s role in the project was multifaceted and included:
- analysis of the current situation (economic, demographic, social and spatial parameters) of navigation in the Sava River Basin and the possibilities of developing nautical tourism through an action plan, measures and development projects, as well as key parameters for monitoring further development.
- analysis of the current legal framework and the state of the environment with an emphasis on protected areas (Ramsar sites, UNESCO heritage sites, protected nature areas and ecological networks) and, based on the results of the analysis, defining guidelines for the development of nautical tourism, cyclotourism and ecotourism, which ensures the development of sustainable tourism with minimal impact on the environment and nature, taking into account the risks of climate change and the associated risks of catastrophic events.
- analysis of the current legal framework and the state of social factors (political and demographic structure of the population, economic activities, etc.) and, based on the results of the analysis, defining guidelines for the development of nautical tourism, cyclotourism and ecotourism, which ensures the development of sustainable tourism while respecting the social factors of the Sava River Basin, with a special emphasis on gender equality and persons with disabilities in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (especially SDG 8.9 and SDG 12b) and the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework.
- identification of key stakeholders and participation in the organisation of meetings and field visits in all basin countries – Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro; organisation of workshops and stakeholder forums and women’s forums; PR support consisting of the creation of media database for five countries, as well as writing and distributing of two press releases; final preparation of documentation for publication and printing.
The project is financed by the International Sava River Basin Commission (ISRBC), with the support of the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Implementation of this Project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
