Good practice:

Day by Day Summer Program in Kőszeg and in its surroundings

Small and medium-sized towns like Kőszeg often cope with the problem ensuring a touristic offer which enable to lengthen the stay of visitors.Due to the COVID-19pandemics,the Summer of2020 has become a special one when local touristic demand has increased significantly.In order to meet the challenges of the new situation,to ensure a visitor experience offer,the Írottkő Nature Park Association in collaboration with Kőszeg town,the local Cultural Centre and local businesses launched a new week-long programme offer ‘Day by Day Summer Program’.The organizing institutions in partnership with local museums,visitor centres,businesses elaborated a week-long programme aiming at the possible highest inclusion of locals and visitors ensuring program elements free of charge and ones with discounted rates.The programme provided access to significant living cultural and natural heritage sites aiming to promote smart and slow tourism with the help of authentic experience creation.The periodic programme covered:Mon.–sightseeing in the town,visit in the Jurisics castle,Tue.–“Go-kart academy” for families(50%discount for children tickets) and free entrance to the petting zoo (a collection of farm animals for children to pet and feed),Wed–Walk in the flower garden,Thu–visit in the Pharmacy museum,Fri–visit in the Nature reserve Visitor Center and Arboretum with the promotion:two entrance ticket for the the price of one.During the weekend,people couldparticipate at the Main square Music Evenings

The organizing institutions finance the programme from own resources (the sightseeing is made by tour guide of the local touristic office or by students at stage).Volunteers are really important resources for implementation:local tourist guides and volunteers at programmes contributes to the success

The programme has contributed besides other innovative ideas to the increase of the average length of stay 2,6 nights/visit to 2,8 nights/visit in 3 years. Due to this core initiative - the local touristic Service Providers are becoming interested in participating in concerted actions all throughout the year and there are “new businesses” who want to join. Guests find a continuously open Gate where they can enter the region. This framework offer gives them a feel/sense for the region.

The GP is relevant for those small- and medium-sized towns where separated touristic offer elements have the potential to create a visitor experience portfolio.These kind of programmes have large importance in regional marketing:the programmes may result synergic effects by which the visitors have a greater view about the region and a more memorable experience which they could share.Another important aspect is inclusivity:offering programme elements free of charge/discounted contributes to sustainability and the participating businesses would gain promotion.Any programme which attract dominant number or visitors(like the Main square Music Evenings)provides positive externality to catering businesses nearby and they may contribute to the events enhancing the long-term viability of such initiatives.Another important aspect is the opportunity for storytelling:in this specific case during the sightseeing, walk at the botanic garden shareholders tell authentic stories from the pasts.