The Use of Cultural Landscape Fragmentation for Rural Tourism Development in the Zemplín Geopark, Slovakia

Jana Rybárová, Radim Rybár, Dana Tometzová () and Gabriel Wittenberger
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Jana Rybárová: Department of Geo and Mining Tourism, Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnologies, Technical University of Košice, 04200 Košice, Slovakia
Radim Rybár: Department of Renewable Energy Sources, Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnologies, Technical University of Košice, 04200 Košice, Slovakia
Dana Tometzová: Department of Geo and Mining Tourism, Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnologies, Technical University of Košice, 04200 Košice, Slovakia
Gabriel Wittenberger: Department of Montaneous Sciences, Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnologies, Technical University of Košice, 04200 Košice, Slovakia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 10, 1-24

Abstract: This study outlines the creation of hiking routes in Slovakia’s cultural landscape, focusing on regions with marginal interest, low tourism engagement, and predominant monocultural blocks. The methodology was systematically applied to the Zemplín Geopark in eastern Slovakia, drawing upon historical cartographic records from the Josephine mapping period (1764–1787) to the present day. The investigation identified and delineated 14 hiking trails, offering historical and tourism significance while promoting multifunctionality. Our research introduces sustainable development avenues for regions with marginal interest, providing ecological and tourist benefits that enhance the overall quality of life. The findings align with the Common Agricultural Policy’s objectives for 2021–2027, addressing challenges related to large-scale field fragmentation. Two identified obstacles include property-legal challenges and issues arising from inadequate map registration, which current methods, unfortunately, fail to address.

Keywords: rural tourism; sustainable tourism; cultural landscape; hiking trails; land fragmentation; land use; Zemplín Geopark (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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