CSTI works directly with tourism entrepreneurs to adapt products and services to meet market demands through the exchange of tourism know-how on innovative tourism initiatives which raise quality standards and improve the competitiveness of the industry. Following the increase in demand for tourist products that alongside basic standards also offer unusual experiences based on sustainable tourism principles, a seven-day Study Trip to Austria and Slovenia has been conducted by the Austria-Montenegro Partnership together with CSTI with support from USAID through CHF Montenegro. This tailored program, with its international approach, builds on best practice, the exchange of experiences in popular sport offers and infrastructure which result in fostered cooperation and collaboration amongst host specialists and trip participants.
The study trip was realized in two parts: the first was focusing on popular-sports tourism development such as rafting, canyoning, kayaking, biking, fly fishing, free wall climbing, adrenalin polygons and a visit to the biggest National Park in Austria - Hohe Tauern. The second part was an exchange of know-how in Cross Border Cooperation (CBC) Regional Management initiatives, specifically at the border triangle Austria - Italy - Slovenia which included visits to natural and revitalized katuns and cultural monuments.
At the core of this tailored program were efforts to build a strong foundation of tourism services in popular sport offers and infrastructure by strengthening stakeholder's organizations and active club members in their skills and practices. In addition, local stakeholders have learned from best practice in the cooperation linkages set up between businesses and institutions, particularly in protected areas. As a result, it is expected that participating stakeholders of the study trip will not only be familiar with international standards but will also be more open to adjust their products and services to the demand of the market.