Trailblazers in the Southern Baltic

By Rick Butler

Working to polish what they claim an undiscovered gem, a civic association that unites cities in Poland and Germany is drawing attention to the opportunities for holidaymaking that lay between Berlin and the Baltic Sea coast.

Assisted by several national and international agencies, the Association of Cross-border Tourist Cluster Berlin-Szczecin-Baltic operates a portal that enables municipalities on what organizers call "The Berlin - Szczecin - Baltic Trail" to post a range of information about doings in their areas.

"Every year, programs are developed by each municipality in the region," says Zbigniew Zbroja, the initiative's coordinator. "However, each municipality does so separately. Instead of complementing and contributing to a common brand, they compete with each other. This is the change we're creating." Operating since the middle of last year, the website came on-line in conjunction with last year's edition of the Tall Ships Races, the closing regattas and ceremonies of which Szczecin hosted in July. Users can access facts about the region, a map of the interconnected waterways that unofficially comprise it, calendars of festivals, celebrations, and cultural and special events, and an archive of past happenings.

The unification drive is a lynchpin of the region-wide drive to build sustainable economic benefit by raising the number of tourists visiting the area. This includes the provision of subsides for berthing in Szczecin under the city's "Friendly Port" program, a PLN 80,000 initiative that offers tall ships and other large-draft vessels free three-day stays at mooring facilities in the city limits.

By providing an informational locus, the group is clearing a path for those from around Europe to enjoy all that the region's many communities, vast open spaces and plentiful natural resources have to offer. The goal, according to organizers, is to expand the service to an ever-wider audience and to provide the foundation for greater regional cooperation. The Association counts among its sponsors the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, via its tourist development arm; and the European Union, via its structural funding program in Poland. The effort falls under Polish system of sector-focused partnership groups.

These initiatives are focused on motivating business, public sector and citizens groups to work together to implement sustainable development in specific regions. The approach is based on the belief that improving the economy, environment and society can be achieved through practical action at the local level, by using local resources, experience and skills more effectively.