Transnational thematic and dissemination event in Bükk Region UNESCO Global, Bükkszentkereszt Geopark,

Group Picture Project Partner in Bükk (c) Balázs Megyeri

Transnational thematic and dissemination event:

Evaluation workshop on efficient visitor monitoring

as a basis for sustainable and balanced visitor

management in geoparks

The third partner meeting of the Interreg Danube Region Geotour Plus concluded in Bükkszentkereszt, Hungary, attended by nine geoparks from ten countries. The event took place from 13 to 17, 2025. The host, Bükk Region UNESCO Global Geopark, also showcased the region's geotourism values to the visiting experts.

Within the framework of the Interreg Danube Region Program, the project Geotour Plus (ID number DRP0200085) titled "Improving the quality of life of people living in geopark areas, promoting geopark values, and developing visitor management" is being implemented by the participation of the Bükk National Park Directorate (BNPD), 9 different geoparks, and 2 research and educational partners.

The main objectives of the project, launched in January 2024 and lasting for 30 months, are:

strengthening the regional development approach of geoparks,
developing visitor management,
and creating value through unique geopark experiences.

The central theme of the third partner meeting, held from October 14 to 17, was visitor management and visitor counting. It was noted that, according to preliminary surveys, local involvement among the countries participating in the project had decreased by 6%, while tourism demand had increased by 77%, so the project focuses on involving local communities and sustainable visitor management.

At the work meeting held in the Bükk Region UNESCO Global Geopark, representatives from ten participating countries also tested visitor counting devices and platforms, and the experts from the Bükk National Park presented their own in-development visitor counter, which offers significant cost savings and is a novelty on the market.

At the meeting, the Kulturweit volunteers of the Bükk National Park held a guided tour at the Szeleta Park Visitor Center for the partners. The participants also visited the Bükk Observatory, the Szeleta Cave, and the Kecske-lyuk Cave, where they became familiar with the acoustic measurements conducted on the cave's bat population.