Cross Border Biking

Cross-border biking: Next level adventure tourism in Mavrovo-Rostuse & Dibër

Financed by: The European Union represented by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of North Macedonia
CRIS Programme number and action title: Cross-border Programme of Republic North Macedonia - Republic of Albania under the Instrument of Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II) allocations for 2016 & 2017
The project is implemented by:
·Albanian Local Capacity Development Foundation (ALCDF)
·Association for Active Tourism Explorer 2018 Ohrid
·Keshilli i Qarkut Diber (Diber Regional Council)
·Municipality of Mavrovo and Rostushe

Target group and beneficiaries:

- All kinds of tourism service providers in both countries;
- Domestic and foreign tourist engaged in adventure activities in the Mavrovo-Rostuse and Dibër cross border region;
- Local people with their facilities like (accommodation, restaurants, souvenir shops, supermarkets and small stores, info points and stores with home products) from Mavrovo-Rostuse and Dibër cross border region;
- Local Businesses;

Project duration: 30 months (1st January 2020 – 30 June 2022)

Budget: 677,729.00 €; EU contribution: 576,069.00 € (85%); EU contribution percentage: 85%

Project objectives:

Overall Objective:

To further develop the economic sector of adventure tourism in Mavrovo-Rostuse and Dibër cross border by creation of new active products and increasing the numbers of domestic and foreign visitors.

Specific Objectives:

SO1. To increase the number of jobs for the inhabitants of Mavrovo-Rostuse and Diber region through improved touristic services / products;
SO2. To create business opportunities for service providers and tourism operators from both countries;
SO3. To promote Mavrovo-Rostuse and Dibër cross border region as one adventure destination for active tourism.

Expected project results:

- Improved economic opportunities through job creation for the inhabitants of Mavrovo-Rostuse & Dibër;
- Improved infrastructure for adventure tourism development in the Mavrovo-Rostuse & Dibër project area;
- Improved business opportunities in local tourism;
- Improved promotion of Mavrovo-Rostuse & Dibër cross-border region as ONE adventure tourism destination

Summary of project activities:

A1.1 Training of 12 mountain bike guides/trail builders
A1.2 Training of 6 future guide / trail building trainers (train the trainers)
A1.3 Training of 4 qualified visitor centre staff
A1.4 Exchange visit between the visitors’ centres’ staff
A1.5 Training of guest house/accommodation providers
A2.1 Creation of 40km of natural mountain bike trails; Prepare digital maps of the trails and investment in the bike trails (construction work, sign and marking)
A2.2 Installation of signposting and info-boards
A2.3 Creation of 2x multifunctional visitor centres (info/rental/services) – investment and refurbishment
A3.1 Production of variety of digital & printed promotional products for the region
(maps, digital brochure, video spots, documentary)
A3.2 Promotion of the region at 2 international and 3national fairs
A3.3 Promotion of the region through media invitation trips
A3.4 Promotion through social and official media (facebook, YouTube, SPIS, visitdiber.com) A3.5 Closing Conference

Project Achievements:

Outputs linked to Activity 1:

• Minimum 12 local guides (11 men and 1 woman), and
• About 100 operators (agro-producers, hotel owners, taxi – 60 women and 40 men)
• Increase knowledge through active participation to training and capacity building for sustainable tourist product development.
Outputs linked to Activity 2:
• 40 kilometer of new or rehabilitated bike trails;
• 120 sign postings and 40 info boards will be installed
• Refurbishment of 2 multi-visitor centres
Outputs linked to Activity 3:
• Number of mountain lodges is increased with minimum 25 guest house owners, or local touristic suppliers
• 2 touristic maps are introduced (as a region and as a product)
• 5 fairs visited (3 national and 2 international)
Outputs linked to Activity 4:
• 60% of local population participate in the information and visibility action of the project and are aware of tourism potential of the region