NP Kornati – Eco-educational trail presented

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports on the island of Murter organized the presentation of new activity in the Kornati National Park – “Eco-educational trail – underwater NP KORNATI”. It is also a pilot area of the INHERIT project funded under the Interreg Mediterranean (MED) program. This program lasts from February 1st, 2018, to January 31st, 2022, with the aim of developing sustainable tourism on the islands of Croatia.

The INHERIT project (Sustainable Tourism Strategies for Preservation and Valorization of the Natural Heritage of the Mediterranean Coast) promotes sustainable tourism activities in underutilized natural heritage areas, addressing the pressures of intensive tourist flows, seasonality and overcapacity in coastal tourist destinations. 

Given that the pilot area of the INHERIT project is National Park Kornati, whose area is mostly surrounded by the sea, diving equipment was purchased for all interested visitors who will be able to see the main attractions within the sea areas.

In addition, the goal of this project is to promote diving as a sustainable tourist activity. Namely, diving is not only a sports activity but much more than that, but it is also increasing the awareness of the public and tourists about the importance of preserving biodiversity, flora and fauna of the seabed.

In total, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports provided over HRK 2.5 million for the INHERIT project, while the total funds intended for the project amount to over HRK 42 million, of which 85% is co-financed from the European Regional Development Fund.

Our natural and cultural heritage are treasures that we must preserve. That is why, through the project Eco-educational trails in the seabed of the National Park Kornati, we place emphasis on tourist products that include tourist valorization, but also care for space and resources that are used. (…) Diving, which is a highly valuable tourist activity, attracts tourists with a high level of environmental awareness and visitors exploring the underwater heritage. Encouraging cooperation, education and participation of the local population and tourists in the protection of ecological values is an important tourist activity in underutilized areas of natural heritage.

Nikolina Brnjac, Minister of Tourism and Sports

Source: Otoci.eu