A highlight of the Danube Wood(s) Route project is the application of the peer review methodology, which creates an opportunity for project partners to visit each other’s sites in smaller groups, learn about local best practices, and strengthen transnational cooperation through direct experience exchange.
DDRIÜ staff members participated in two such professional evaluation visits: one as a host in Pécs, and the other as a participant in Bohinj, Slovenia.
Pécs – Forest, Experience, and Heritage
During the peer review visit in Pécs, DDRIÜ hosted Romanian and Bosnian partners. The program’s goal was to present the region’s forest-based tourism offer and the locations where nature, adventure tourism, and heritage protection converge.
During the professional program, participants visited the Mecsextrém Park and the Mecsek Discovery Center, where staff from Mecsekerdő Zrt. (Mecsek Forest Co.) showcased the attractions. The presentation was followed by a short forest walk starting from the Kőlyuki betérő, offering a taste of the Mecsek’s natural values and the recreational opportunities available in the region.
In the second half of the day, the group visited the Orfű Mills, where a one-hour guided tour allowed participants to learn about the history and operation of the three mills, as well as the currently available activities that serve to present the cultural heritage in an experiential way.
Bohinj – Active Tourism Focused on Nature
The location of the second peer review visit was Bohinj, attended by two DDRIÜ staff members. Here, the focus was on active tourism, with special emphasis on the sustainable utilization of the natural environment.
Participants got acquainted with numerous tourism opportunities characteristic of the mountainous region: from spring to autumn, e-bike tours are highlighted, while during the summer, Lake Bohinj becomes the center for water sports, where kayakers, canoeists, stand-up paddleboarders (SUP-ers), and swimmers share the experiences the lake offers.
Local traditions were also brought to the forefront during the bike tour: participants learned about the traditional technique of cheese making and gained direct experience regarding the differences between cheeses made on alpine pastures and those made in village cheesemaking workshops.
Common Lessons Learned
The two professional visits clearly demonstrate the diverse ways in which tourism related to forests and natural values can be developed sustainably within the framework of the Danube Woods project. The exchange of experience not only provided inspiration for the partners but also offered concrete ideas for further developing local initiatives, thus strengthening the cooperation and knowledge sharing in the Danube Region.
The Danube Wood(s)Route project is co-financed by the European Union and the Hungarian State within the framework of the Interreg Danube Region Programme.
