“Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Heritage Protection”, twin-city meeting and conference
International meeting on sustainable tourism and cultural heritage protection
The international meeting organized on the topics of sustainable tourism and the protection of cultural heritage took place on June 6–7, 2025, in the historic city of Komárno, Slovakia. The event, part of the SUSCOMNET (Project ID: 101138675) project, was attended by renowned experts, researchers, educators, and tourism professionals.
The two-day program kicked off with visits to local tourist attractions, providing participants with the opportunity to directly experience the cultural and historical values of the region. This was followed by an intensive conference day featuring presentations and professional discussions that examined the correlations between the preservation of cultural heritage and responsible tourism development within a Central European context.
The objective of the event was to explore the mutually reinforcing relationships between cultural heritage and tourism, with a particular focus on presenting local best practices and innovative strategies. The program provided an opportunity for municipal, academic, and civil stakeholders to seek collaborative answers on how to develop economically viable, socially equitable, and ecologically responsible tourism, especially in settlements affected by cultural heritage.
The conference was opened by the Mayor of Komárno, Béla Keszegh, and the municipal representative of Gyula, Teréz Szilágyi. In their welcoming speeches, they emphasized the importance of interregional cooperation and cultural dialogue. The opening thoughts foreshadowed the professional content of the day, which was built on solid theoretical foundations and complemented by the presentation of practical case studies and inspiring initiatives.
Edit Hajnal, project coordinator, in her opening presentation titled "Sustainable Cities – Sustainable Communities," examined the urban dimension of sustainability, demonstrating how small and medium-sized cities can become key players in the green transition. She highlighted that sustainable communities do not only mean eco-friendly infrastructure but also social systems based on active citizen participation, community awareness, and value-based development. Her presentation emphasized the importance of strategic thinking and partnerships.
Eszter Onofer, representing the Gyula TDM Organization, in her presentation titled "Gyula, the Historic Spa Town," used the example of Gyula to demonstrate how historical heritage, health tourism, and a modern tourism approach can be integrated into sustainable destination development. She pointed out that tourism in Gyula is not only an economic engine but also a force shaping urban identity, in which the local community plays a conscious role. She emphasized that spa culture, gastronomy, and heritage preservation events are all tools for sustainable experiential tourism.
Baranyai Tamás certified medical biotechnologist analyzed the scientific and ethical foundations of ecotourism in his presentation titled “Sustainable Ecotourism.” He highlighted that ecotourism is not merely hiking, but a systems-thinking approach that takes into account the carrying capacity of ecosystems, the protection of habitats, and the shaping of visitors' perspectives. The examples presented—such as low-impact tours in protected areas—clearly demonstrated that tourism development can only be truly sustainable if it respects nature.
In her presentation titled “Integrating Sustainable Development in Selected Slovak Museums and Galleries,” Kristína Pančíková, a researcher from Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, examined the role of cultural institutions in promoting sustainable development. She pointed out that museums and galleries are not only venues for knowledge transfer, but also institutions with economic, social, and environmental responsibilities. Her examples included practices where energy efficiency, waste reduction, and community participation appear as institutional goals.
In his presentation titled “Sustainable Tourism: Greenwashing and Innovative Local Solutions,” Dr. Tamás Szilágyi combined a critical analysis of the “greenwashing” phenomenon with the presentation of authentic, innovative practices. Through examples from Western European cities, he illustrated that transparent, community-based, and technologically supported developments can lead to a genuine green transformation in tourism. He also highlighted the role of the conscious tourist, emphasizing that sustainability is not solely the responsibility of service providers, but also of consumers.
In his presentation titled “The Past, Present, and Future of the Komárno Fortress,” Dr. Andrej Ozimy presented the cultural and strategic significance of the fortress, as well as the possibilities for the contemporary utilization of historical heritage. The fortress is interpreted not only as a museum space but also as a festival venue, community center, and educational platform. The planned developments aim to implement the concept of “living heritage,” which simultaneously serves the preservation of identity, economic development, and the strengthening of community cohesion.
In her presentation, Dr. Szilvia Beke, Vice-Dean of Gál Ferenc University, introduced the university's training programs and explained how sustainability aspects are integrated into education. The interdisciplinary approach to tourism management, cultural heritage protection, and community animation enables students to acquire not only practical knowledge but also a responsible mindset.
In her presentation titled “Presentation of the Danube Region Tourism Destination Management Activities,” Tímea Szénássy emphasized that the successful operation of the Danube region as a tourism area is based on the alignment of local values and regional collaborations. Her examples—natural values, heritage sites, and local products—demonstrated that value-based branding can result in a truly sustainable tourism policy.
In his presentation titled “Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Heritage Protection – Presentation of the City of Zrenjanin,” József Sztojkó used a Serbian example to demonstrate how tourism strategies can be developed to simultaneously serve heritage protection, economic renewal, and social inclusion. He highlighted the tourism potential of the city's multicultural heritage.
In his philosophically oriented presentation titled “Cultural Heritage as Moral and Social Capital,” Péter Jelenfi pointed out that cultural heritage is not merely a material or historical resource, but also moral and social capital. According to his interpretation, heritage is not simply a past to be preserved, but a shaping force for community cohesion, identity, and the moral compass.
In her closing presentation titled “Slow Food – Earth Market Karva,” Jana Pémová introduced the practice of the Earth Market in Karva, where sustainable food production and the involvement of local communities intersect with ecotourism. The market is not only a gastronomic attraction but also a tool for strengthening local identity, contributing to economic renewal and increasing visitor awareness.
The conference not only addressed the issues of sustainability and heritage protection on a theoretical level but also presented potential solutions through concrete case studies. The event contributed to deepening regional dialogue, strengthening knowledge sharing, and established the conditions for long-term, sustainable cooperation.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570502368306