The REGEO project aimed to create a decentralized geo-multimedia database and client/server applications to provide online, offline, and mobile access to tourism information for rural areas. The system was designed to be easy to use, adaptable to different hardware, support multiple languages, and have low maintenance needs. It integrated 2D and 3D visualization techniques to benefit nature reserves, travel agencies, visitors, tourists, and local enterprises in rural areas by promoting tourism as an economic activity. The system was intended to offer a complex program of tourist services and activities based on new ICT infrastructure and tools to support trip planning, holiday planning, and cooperation across regions.

1. REGEO ICT SOLUTION FOR RURAL TOURISM

2. REGEO project IST-2001-32336 Multimedia Geoinformation for e-Communities in Rural Areas with Eco-Tourism

3. REGEO Main objectives: Basis: decentralized (virtual) geo-multimedia database Tools to create regional information systems for tourism and other tasks (administration, education …) Client/server applications for on-line, off-line and mobile access to geo-database Integration of advanced 2D and 3D visualization techniques Data design and collection from rural test regions Starting date: April 2002 Duration time: 30 months

4. REGEO User friendly system – “easy-to-use” – it is the most important requirement because of possible minimal user knowledge Adaptability to different hardware – system has to be able to adapt to different hardware conditions (different hardware, different computing power, different connection) Multi-language system – system has to support working with more languages (minimally two) Easy system maintenance Unification of graphic elements

5. REGEO

6. REGEO Geo-multimedia information system benefits for: Nature reserves Travel agencies Visitors and tourists Local enterprises Local administration

7. Rural Tourism Many rural areas: disadvantages of marginal agronomic areas. To compensate this: Eco-tourism development as one major source of income. It can start to be main economic activity in region.

8. Rural Tourism Sporting activities: biking, hiking, skiing, water sports, mountaineering, … Recreational activities: agro-tourism, sight-seeing tours, events, concerts, … Information services: history, nature, weather forecast, restricted areas, … Tourist services: accommodation, restaurants, transport, rental services, guiding tours, health service, … Presentation of region: regional specialities, tours, shops, events, … Educational activities

9. Rural Tourism Possible role of rural tourism: Profit from tourists for small farmers and local enterprises Important role in the regional development New market for agrarian and other regional products Presentation of region specifics Possible risks: Environment protection Differences from other kinds of tourism (smaller budget, non-commercial activities)

10. Rural Tourism Important: Information system for rural tourism has to offer a complex program of tourist services and activities. It has to be based on new information technologies: Building of new ICT infrastructure Using of wireless communication Data collection using GIS methods Advanced visualization techniques Planning tools (trip planning, holiday planning)

11. Rural Tourism Co-operation in the region: Using of tools not only for tourist system, but also for administration and education Close co-operation with nature reserves, local enterprises, forest management, precision farming activities etc. Co-operation in European space: Single European rural tourism marketplace Co-ordination of developing and research of IS Interoperability Legislative support

12. Thank you for your attention.