Recreation Innovation

MARDTNational Park

Recreation Innovation

A REPORT

Compiled by Group 4

Damiano Bevilacqua, Antonia Forster, Ramon Jurj, Tudor Stoyanov, Miklos Szenasi

1

CONTENTS

SUBJECTPAGE No.

Definition of Recreation2

Case Enterprisesand the Business Area2-4

Enterprise

- Introduction4

- Background4-5

- Co-operation Structure5

Innovation

- Why is innovation important? 6

- Innovation Case Study and Analysis6-7

Evaluation 7-8

Conclusions8

Lessons learned and Recommendations9

References10
Definition

Recreation: any physical or psychological revitalization through the voluntary pursuit of leisure time. Forest recreation includes the use and enjoyment of a forest or wild land setting without harming the biodiversity. Forest recreationincludes heritage landmarks, developed facilities, and other biophysical features and a means to educate the people.

Description of Group 4’s Case Study Enterprises:

1.)Damiano Bevilacqua work is about the ConeroRegionalPark. The business area is mainly the tourism and the natural studies. The administration works for improve the natural aspect and the tourism access. The cities around the park have a strong influence.

2.) Antonia Forster investigates the development of off-road cycling in the forests of Northern Ireland. The demand for off-road cycling in the forests of Northern Ireland has increased in recent years. The Forest Service (an agency committed to the achievement of the objectives of the Northern Ireland Cycling Strategy) is a major land-owning public body and potential supplier of off-road access for cycling. The Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN) is an umbrella organisation which brings together all groups and bodies which have an interest in, or involvement in countryside recreation in Northern Ireland. The Network was established in 1999 in response to the publication of Northern Ireland's first Countryside Recreation Strategy in November1998. It is charged with the strategic development and management of countryside recreation across NI. CAAN carried out a strategic review of the off-road cycling situation in Northern Ireland in 2002. The results catapulted them to address the need for the development of a network of off-road cycling routes across NI. In 2003 CAAN carried out a survey to select site suitability for off-road cycling opportunities basing their criteria on a number of indicators: access, facilities, strategic value,constraints and conflicts, existing mountain bike activity, ground conditions, elevation, topography and estimated cost. CAAN drew up concept plans for each proposed site in consultation with the Forest Service. The number of routes for each category of off-road cycling (family, cross-country, downhill) were narrowed down by a feasibility study carried out by the Forest Service where further potential constraints were considered such as conservation, archaeology, conflict with forest operations, maintenance issues etc.

The current situation is that work has commenced on the creation and development of trails in a number of sites. One or two have already been completed. The development of off-road cycling routes in forests of Northern Ireland has been a slow process. There continues to be unresolved issues and communication breakdowns between the various interested parties.

3.) Ramon Jurj case studyconsiders ecotourism in PiatraCraiuluiNational Park and BucegiNaturalPark.The first forest administration was founded in 1878 in Zarnesti city. Renamed “Ocolul silvic Zarnesti” and administrates 27000 ha of forest, two hunting units with a total of 26000 ha and one fishing unit with 16 km length. This area is intersecting two National Parks (Piatra Craiului and Bucegi).The objectives also enhanced, in the present this forest office manage the logging, the hunting, the fishing and collecting forest products (mushrooms, forest fruits, etc.) and a new objective arise – developing ecotourism services.The 2004 financial ratios: 750.000 euro income, 100.000 euro profit (90% - logging; 9% - hunting, forest products; 1% - tourism); 40% from income represents the personal spending. The present innovation is the availability of the Zarnesti forest office for the eco-tourism, not only for traditional forest activities like logging and hunting. An important factor is including the hunting facilities, like hunting cabins in the touristy circuit.The enterprise business goal is to diversify the income sources based on the valorization of natural heritage and to provide incomes both for forest administration, for park development and for local entrepreneurs.The resources are the followings: the forest landscape with virgin forest; flora and fauna; the wild landscape (rocky ridges); the traditional activities (the forest cutting with horses transport, hunting, fishing, grazing, hay cutting).The main method is the touristy packets organization which refers to the specified resources.The strategy of development tourism in the area is based on the close collaboration between state forest office, park administration and locals (pensions, horse riding, and traditional activities). Thus, the park administration is promoting the area on national and international level, the state forest office will develop the field facilities and the locals will provide additional services.

The recommendations for future are related to ensure the continuity of the activities in the Romanian institutional framework, which is changing on short periods (reforms, accession to EU, etc.). The conclusion is that despite of the high potential of the area there are many things to be done in order to significantly increase the incomes from natural heritage.

4.) Todor Stoyanov’s case study is the Educational Experimental Forestry Enterprise in Yundola Bulgaria. Being a main provider of timber and Non Wood Forest Products, the Educational and Experimental Forestry Enterprise (EEFE) in the Yundola village has a quite significant place in both the municipality of Velingrad and the district of Pazardjik. An independent structure called the GeshovaPlaninaStateForest was set up in 1900. Since 1919 it has become a self-sufficient forest enterprise. The Educational-Experimental Forestry Enterprise(EEFE) – Yundola is a service department of University of Forestry, SofiaIn 1936 its area was granted to the Agriculture and Forestry Faculty of the Sofia University and since 1953, when was established an independent High Institute of Forestry and Wood Processing (now University of Forestry) the EEFE – Yundola was managed by Academic Council of the Institute (University of Forestry).Today the EEFE – Yundola is a service department of University of Forestry, Sofia.The activities of Educational-Experimental Forestry (EEFE) – Yundola are: Research, Educational, Silvicultural, Logging, Repairing of machines and transport, Hunting management, Recreational, Wood processing and furniture and other activities, connected with profile of Forestry enterprise.The basic activities are research and educational and they are pointed to help practical education of students and research work of University staff, but the EEFE has also economic objectives.The EEFE covers an area of 5190,6 ha. The forest species consist mainly of Scot pine, Spruce, Fir and Beech. The total wood stock =1 324 500 cubic meters. Approximately 10 ha are being planted every year. The area of forest nursery is 1,9 ha and it produce about 500 000 saplings of Scot pine, Spruce and Fir. The forest enterprise disposes of seed base areas, geographic plantations, dendrariums and seed production gardens. The annual timber production output is about 13 000 cubic meters. The enterprise possesses a saw-mill and furniture production machines which are differentiated in separate departments of EEFE. The innovations in the EEFE are pointed mainly into the logging, wood processing and recreational activities.During 2004 it was supplied tractor “TAF” for logging, saw-mill machines for sawing and built some facilities for recreational activities.

5.) Miklós Szénási’s case enterprise is the Északerdo Co. which is engaged in the business of forestry and is located in the north of Hungary, in Borsod-Abaúj Zemplén county. The area of forests operated and managed by them covers a total of 103.000 hectares, accounting for 7 per cent of the total areas of forests in Hungary. The overwhelming majority of its forests and woodland areas are in the eastern regions of the North Center Range of Mountains but 7.700 hectares of the corporation's woodland area extends to the Great Hungarian Plain, as well. Out of the aboriginal tree species chestnut oaks,Turkey oaks and beeches occupy two thirds of the woodland area,and the same species constitute 79 per cent of the total growing stock. In order to protect nature and human surrounding, our Forestry endeavours to make its nature protection aims popular and known to population. For education purposes, we have created special "training paths" for children and adults where under professional guidance, they can enlarge and improve their knowledge of the animate and inanimate nature. Our Forestry has also joined the nation-wide "school in the forest" programme, the building and continuous improvement of which is undertaken by the Forestry to increase the quality of life of future generations.

The Enterprise

Introduction

We decided to put together our case studies and with them we made a theoretical case study called “MARDTNational Park” in a hypothetic country called “Bihar”. The information about the Park and the innovation are an average of all the main points of each case, in same specific tasks we try to find the best options, like the number of personnel for a medium size park.

The analysis of the enterprise and innovations is about this theoretical case, so we analyse in the same time our case. The main target is made a model where every student can find something in common with his case, but also something new that he can use to introduce in his enterprise.We worked quite well, because the targets of each case were quite similar and also the innovation objectives.

Background

MARDT National Park (MNP) is a new enterprise established in BIHAR in May 2005. It is a result of a long-term international cooperation between five European countries. It provides a totally new innovative product in the area. The Park actors expect that it will help to increase the number of tourists in the region and help the local people to find job opportunities. MNP was made a National Park in May 2005 because it is a unique and special place that needs to be cared for - both for the wildlife and countryside it contains and for the people that live in it, manage it and visit it. It is home to 25,000 people and 25% of BIHAR’s threatened birds, animals, and plants. It includes moorlands, forests, rivers, lakes and valleys.

The National Parks (BIHAR) Act 2005 sets out the four aims of National Parks in BIHAR. These are:

• To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage
• To promote the sustainable use of the natural resources of the area
• To promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public;
• To promote sustainable social & economic development of the communities of the area;
• To promote research possibilities

The purpose of the National Park Authority is to ensure that these aims are pursued collectively, and in ways which protect the natural and cultural heritage of the area in the long term. All of the aims have equal status however, if it appears that there is a conflict between the conservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural heritage and other National Park aims, and then the Park Authority must give greater weight to this aim.

The budget for MNP is 500.000 euro, which is provided by government. Part of this money is used for the salaries for the Park’s staff: 10 park administration (forest engineers, foresters, botanic, zoologist). The infrastructure includes 1 building (three rooms), 1 car, and equipment for research.

The management and the control of the Park is done by National Park Administration and the Forest Authority, they collaborate with Private sector and the Academic sector. Every sector nominates a representative and they frame the Steering group, where they discuss and find a compromise between their needs. Administration of the MNP collaborates with Forest Authority; Local Administration; Local communities; Tourism firms; Private owners; Education institutions; hunting associations. Every actor has a different need from the Park, so it has to manage the conflicts between them and find the best solution.

Cooperation Structure

Why is Innovation Important to MARDTNational Park?

“If you are standing still in times of changes you are in fact drifting backwards”

Economic Growth

Not all forest and environmental values are reflected in market prices due to widespread market imperfections and policy failures. Yet they can provide many different economic benefits directly and indirectly through recreational and educational activities. It is important that these benefits are realised and optimised in order to bring economic growth to the local and regional economy (Ramesteiner 2005).

Competitiveness

Competition is an important component of economic growth. Therefore commercialisation of the recreational goods and services offered by MNP is necessary to bring a positive impact in terms of economic growth in the local and regional economy (Pellikka 2005).

Income creation and profit

Although difficult to prove, existing studies have shown a positive but modest profitability (Ramesteiner 2005).

Employment creation

Product innovations show a positive effect on employment if the products address new needs (Rametsteiner 2005). By increasing the recreational and educational goods and services in MNP that meet with a variety of user group demands from hunters to cyclists to the disabled and education groups, we are creating jobs both directly (eg. construction of trails and information boards or tour guiding services), and indirectly (services) to the local economy.

Change attitudes towards environment and sustainable development

The construction of the information centre and publishing of educational material aims to inform organised school groups and the general public of the importance of MNP in terms of the environment, economy, social and cultural heritage.

Meeting changing consumer needs and demographics

People are constantly changing their attitudes and lifestyles. To accommodate this, our innovation product will enable visitors to enjoy a recreational and / or educational experience to a high standard and with accessibility that were not before possible.

Meets General and Forest Policy requirements

Many policy statements make reference to innovation for growth – be it in terms of growth, jobs, productivity or product quality. Our case study is a good example of product innovation that will enhance even all sectors directly or indirectly.

Innovation Case Study

Our innovation case study involves a product innovation bringing both goods and services to the community and tourists of MARDTNational Park through a combination of recreational and educational activities. Visitors may partake in recreational ‘goods’ such as hunting, fishing, off-road cycling or ‘services’ such as bush walking, wildlife photography, bird-watching and enjoyment of the fresh air and scenery. Schools, colleges, universities, interest groups and individuals can learn about the MNP within the information centre where there are interactive displays, information boards and literature material available or through guided tours given by the Park staff.

Innovation Analysis

The Park actors involved in the innovation process are the Park administration, the local community, the forest authority, the educational institution and the tourism firms, because the innovations concern the recreational services, but also the educational services and increase the local economy. The Government has an important role in the innovation process, because it makes the laws, but also it is the main actor that gives the money for the Park.

The main innovations that the park is already adopted are: Park plans that are useful to understand better the characteristics of the Park like vegetation, animal and their connection, but also for the management and the protection; an information centre for the cooperation with the schools for educates the people to the environment and to learn the importance of the nature in our life; infrastructures for tourists like tracks for horse riding or mountain biking, picnic areas, educational paths; increase the information and the knowledge.

The Park adopts tourism, recreational and educational strategies so it can maintain closer cooperation with all the actors involved; an important cooperation is with the Forest authority and service, but also with the education institutions like the development of the education tools because the schools are one of the most important consumers of the Park, or the collaboration with Universities, because they are useful for the research, useful to update the Park plans and to promote the it. The collaboration with the local community it’s also very important, because the Park promote the area on national and international level and the locals will provide additional services that it will increase the employment and the economical growth.