Developing Senior Tourism in Remote Regions (TOURAGE)

Representatives of local and regional authorities, academic institutions, tourism organisations and enterprises were present to share their ideas on senior tourism on the 8^th June 2012 in Debrecen, Hungary. The event was an opportunity to introduce the TOURAGE INTERREG IVC project to the wider audience, and also to focus on the “2012 - European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations” and its contribution to tourism development.

Zsuzsanna Hulák, head of department at the Ministry of Human Resources in her contribution stressed the importance of national strategies assisting ageing generations. She stressed the initiatives of the government and also put special emphasis on tourism as a field of activity of elderly people. Ilona Katona, director of the Észak-Alföld Regional Marketing Directorate of Hungarian Tourism Plc. in her intervention shared recent statistics and main field of activities of senior tourists from a global and local perspective. She also shared their marketing activities focusing on seniors.

The event made a good atmosphere for discussions, and sharing good practices. István Oláh, director of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County Regional Development and Environment Management Agency introduced tourism solutions and projects especially focusing on cultural heritage protection. In order to show possible financing solutions as well, the recent call of Észak-Alföld Regional Operation Programme financed through ERDF was also presented on the 1^st TOURAGE Regional Working Group Meeting and Dissemination Event in Debrecen organized by Észak-Alföld Regional Development Agency. Gábor Gömöri, project manager of the ÉARDA Intermediate Body presented the call for regional tourism attractions which has a budget of 22,5 million euros, and can contribute to the development of senior tourism.