Wood as ​​a Witness of Life - Training for Tourism Sector Representatives From the Zlatibor Region

Within the Danube Wood(s) Route project, a two-day training session for representatives of tourism sector from the Zlatibor district was organized on 23-24 December, 2025. The aim of training was strengthening capacities and skills of local actors in storytelling and interpretation of cultural and natural heritage with special emphasis on wood-related heritage, forest resources and local identities. The training also elaborated digital marketing and promotion of cultural routes, including destination promotion tools, enhancement of digital visibility, content management and strategic communication with different target groups. Through interactive work and exchange of experiences, participants discussed the ways of translating wood-related heritage into authentic tourism products and effective presentation to modern audiences.

This training was an exercise for creating "Woods Weekends" itinerary - thematically designed tourist programs combining experiences of nature, culture and local community. Participants worked together on designing an itinerary for our region, with the aim to connect key natural and cultural attractions of this area. The program should include the Tara National Park, as habitat of the famous Pancic's spruce - symbol of this area and one of Serbia’s most valuable natural treasures, then narrow-gauge railway Sargan Eight, Drvengrad, Museum Old village of Sirogojno, a ride along the Perucac Lake to Town Visegrad, a house on the Drina River and other attractions. They will be offered as a unique experience that combines natural heritage, cultural heritage and authentic landscapes.

Special value of collaborative work lies in the stories shared among participants – experiential, personal, local and some lesser-known, but deeply rooted in the identity of the region. These stories represent valuable intangible heritage that deserves to be preserved from oblivion and translated into authentic tourism narratives capable to inspire and attract audiences. Created programs will be promoted as part of joint transnational route, which is being developed within the Danube Wood(s) Route project with the aim to connect destinations across the Danube Region through common wood-based and forest heritage.

Through practical exercises and joint work, it was demonstrated how wood, as a powerful symbolic and thematic link, can become a key element in creation of interpretative and promotional content. In this way, wood heritage is not viewed only as a natural resource, but as a carrier of stories, identities, and experiences that add value to the tourism offer of western Serbia within the broader transnational framework of the Danube Wood(s) Route project.