From February 11 to 13, 2025, the partners of the “Danube GeoTour Plus” project gathered at the Nature and Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen to discuss the project’s progress, exchange experiences, and further develop planned measures. The meeting also served as the First Year Review, a feedback session with the joint secretary to evaluate the developments made in collaboration with the funding body.

The project, running until June 30, 2026, focuses on several key priorities. A central aspect is the inclusion of vulnerable groups, including minorities, older adults, and children and young people, supported by the College of Tourism and Management, Konjic, Bosnia and Herzegovina. New Geopark experiences are being developed in collaboration with these groups, such as a long-distance hiking trail, a mobile exhibition and laboratory, and interactive journeys into the geological past. Additionally, the participating Geoparks from Germany, Serbia, Romania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia are working on a sustainable visitor management system tailored to the specific needs of their respective regions. They receive scientific support from the University of Kosice, Slovakia.

During the meeting, workshops were held to develop concrete topics. The project partners formulated criteria for new Geopark experiences, discussed the status of campaigns for vulnerable groups, and presented initial technical applications for visitor monitoring, focusing on areas such as “along trails,” “hot spots,” and the “Geopark territory.”

In addition to intensive working sessions, the agenda also included excursions. Visits to the Georama, the Geowerkstatt, and the HochQuellWasser Museum provided fascinating insights into environmental and geological projects. The evenings concluded in a relaxed atmosphere with communal dinners and music. A special highlight was the unique and refreshing night tour at the Forstmuseum Großreifling.

The international project partnership has until June 30, 2026, to complete its ambitious objectives. Regular updates on progress will be provided. The project is implemented within the framework of the Interreg Danube Region Program and is co-financed by the European Union.