The European Union continues to support strengthening rural households in Plužine and Foča
On 26 April 2021 in Plužine was organized an event “Connecting rural households with service providers in the field of tourism” with the support of the European Union, which brought together representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development of Montenegro, representatives of rural households from Plužine, Meanderbug travel agency, the Municipalities of Plužine and Foča and Nature Park Piva.
The representative of the Ministry of Economic Development, Ms Anka Kujović, informed the participants about the steps that need to be taken in order to receive a Decision on the registration of a rural household, which legally allows them to be engaged in tourism industry. She pointed out that, in addition to being a legal obligation, registration also brings benefits to rural households, such as the possibility of applying for grants awarded by the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and other relevant institutions.
In his presentation, the Executive Director of the Meanderbug Agency from Podgorica, Brit Boone, first praised the cross-border cooperation project between the Municipality of Plužine and the Municipality of Foča. Mr. Boone, an American by birth, moved to Montenegro eight years ago to work on developing rural tourism. He emphasized that the Municipality of Plužine is already using the potential for rafting, but it is necessary to develop other activities such as hiking, mountain biking and fishing, so that tourists have vacations filled with various activities and thus extend their stay. Boone pointed out that the COVID-19 virus pandemic has changed the way people think when it comes to travel, so now those who plan vacations want to spend them away from big cities and crowds. This is exactly the advantage of Plužine and Foča, because they are places for peace and isolation, and that is what many visitors from Western Europe want.
In the following period, activities related to rural households from the area of the two municipalities will continue within the project.
The event was organized in accordance with the measures aimed at combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Linking local tour operators with rural households
In order to empower rural households from cross-border area Foča-Plužine, the connection with active tourism sector will be established. At first, the project will identify rural households interested in provision of tourism services and later, tour packages will be developed and promotional material designed for rural households. Additionally, project will support households through small-scale infrastructure interventions (renovation, construction, purchase, etc.) on facilities that will be offered to the tourists visiting the area. This activity will also include a raising awareness campaign among rural households and tour operators for their cooperation for better tourism offer in the project area.
Detailed:
Linking local tour operators with rural households
Yesterday, in the Center for Culture and Information of Foča, a meeting “Connecting rural households with service providers in the field of tourism” was successfully organized with the support of the European Union. The meeting was attended by representatives of rural households from Foča, representatives of the Municipality of Foča, the project team of the municipalities of Foča and Plužine, the director of the Tourist Organization of the Municipality of Foča, the president of the Foča Rafter Association and local media.
At the meeting, the possibilities for connecting rural households with service providers in the field of tourism were presented, as well as the legal norms that regulate this area. The president of the Foča Rafters’ Association shared his experiences in cooperation and connecting rafting camps with rural households, presenting ways to improve the existing cooperation.
Representatives of rural households presented the problems they face in the distribution, placement and branding of their products, and listed the obstacles they face in the registration of rural households as providers of services in the field of tourism.
At the end of the meeting, conclusions and further steps were adopted in order to improve cooperation, and the realization of the general goal: Increasing the number of rural households that provide services in the field of tourism in the municipality of Foča.
A study of research on speleological objects in the municipalities of Plužine and Foča has been prepared
As part of the project activities, members of the Mountaineering and Speleological Society Vučja stopa from Foča were engaged for conducting speleological research in two municipalities with the aim of promoting speleology as a tourist offer and making proposals for arranging one cave for tourist purposes in each municipality.
During the engagement, members of Vučja stopa visited and explored 6 speleological objects in the area of both municipalities, topographically drew cave channels, as well as described speleological objects in detail. Proposals for arranging one cave in each of the municipalities of Foča and Plužine were also made and presented in the study.
In the area of the municipality of Foča, the cave Mala Kutlača was explored for the first time, whose canals have a total length of 503 meters. The cave abounds in various forms of cave jewelry and the proposal for the arrangement is precisely this cave that will delight many visitors. It is specific for its cave pillars, the highest of which is 3.6 meters.
In the area of the municipality of Plužine, the real speleological phenomenon of these areas, the Đokova ledenica cave, was explored, among others. The cave is specific for large amounts of ice that is over 25 meters wide and up to 10 meters high. The ice in the cave is 50 meters long and various forms of ice cave jewelry are formed on it. Such caves can be seen in much higher areas such as the Alps. What would further bring to the attractiveness of this cave is a suspension bridge that would descend to another level, which so far visitors have not had the opportunity.
Study:
Study of research of speleological objects in the municipality of Plužine and Foča
Speleology
The project area Plužine – Foča has the potential for the development of speleology as a new tourist product. There are several caves in these municipalities, some of which are unique in this area, both in terms of drawings that most likely date back to the Bronze Age, in terms of cave jewelry and other significant features.
This activity includes the identification of caves in Plužine and Foča, the preparation of a study on speleological research in both municipalities, the arrangement of caves for tourist valorization and the preparation of promotional material.
Details:
Study:
Study of research of speleological objects in the municipality of Plužine and Foča