Rowing in one river - Increasing the attractiveness of Ipeľ/Ipoly valley with making the best of regional natural and cultural values' potential

The project builds on the natural values of the Ipoly Valley while creating a new tourism product: water tourism. In a timeframe of 16 months 11 municipalities (Litke, Szécsény, Bušince, Balassagyarmat, Ipeľské Predmostie, Veľká Čalomija, Vyškovce nad Ipľom, Šahy, Tésa, Ipolytölgyes, Szob) will connect to a network of paddling ports along the common SK-HU section of the Ipoly to the Danube, setting-up a 100 km-long „navigable” river-section. By connecting land and water tourism we create a complex service package. By involving local experts we aim to present the common values of the Ipoly valley by hiking and bicycle trails, connecting to the ports. The trails will appear on solar panel lit interpretation boards, mobile applications for smartphones and in 3 types of trilingual illustrated publications printed in 22000 copies. The equipment to be obtained includes 97 GPS equipped kayaks and canoes for shipping 253 persons, 2 dragon boats and 74 bicycles with 14 child seats. 5 meteorological stations provide up-to-date information for the website, by which visitors can plan their trips ahead. 9 portable floating pontoons, 7 containers for ship storage and 2 for changing assure safe splash-down and winter storage of ships. For the operation of the network, 4 trailers for ship transport and two 9-seater vehicles will be obtained. For making a safe acquaintance of school groups and families with water there will be 2 motorboats available in the lower, better-navigable sections of the river. It is very important for local service providers to recognize the potential of tourism lying in the natural values of the area; for teachers, sport organisations and elderly people to perceive the educational and physiological effect of water sports, as well as for youth and families to identify the community-building character of active holidays. To achieve our goals, in 2018 we will organise workshops, water camps and water family days by involving sport legends.