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Development of ecotourism in Medvednica Nature Park

Medvednica Nature Park is situated in the City of Zagreb, Krapina-Zagorje County and Zagreb County, surrounded by almost a quarter of the population of the Republic of Croatia. While Prigorje is an urban environment, Zagorje is a rural area where the population lives with and from nature. The boundaries of the Park were reduced in 2009 due to excessive urbanization in the southern area. During the last ten years, the development of ecotourism in the Park has been improved by local crafts and rural farms as well as a growing number of local producers, using associated facilities such as spas, museums, ski resorts and protected areas. More tourists and visitors, for whom nature protection is an important issue, come to the Park to learn about traditional and cultural values. The Public Institution Nature Park Medvednica offers many educational and interpretive contents to visitors, thus enhancing their stay in nature. By continuously renewing its capacities and sustainable management, it supports the development of the local community to use the Park’s specific values as a destination coexisting with nature. The growing demand for organic products has been recognized, especially among the urban population and tourists. A significant precondition for the development of ecotourism in this environment is the provision of all necessary resources and strengthening the capacity of the local community in order to preserve Medvednica Nature Park and raise awareness about natural and cultural values

ecotourism, capacity building, local community, sustainable management, Medvednica Nature Park

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