The South Zala and Western Slovenian regions both possess strong thermal tourism offerings, where spa and wellness facilities are complemented by wellness, health, and active tourism elements. The geographical proximity of the border area and the similar characteristics of the thermal waters provide an excellent basis for destination integration at the level of thematic health tourism.

The long-term competitiveness of the cross-border thermal tourism region can only be ensured if economic, environmental, and social sustainability aspects are integrated into the development strategy. Thermal water, as a renewable yet sensitive natural resource, particularly justifies responsible water use and energy management.

The three highlighted destinations – Moravske Toplice, Lendava, and Zalakaros – already apply numerous green initiatives today, including geothermal heating, water recycling, energy-efficient systems, and the prioritization of local products and short supply chains in hospitality services. Building on these good practices, a “Borderless Thermal Triangle” brand could be created, becoming synonymous with environmentally conscious relaxation and healing.

Another key element of sustainability could be the greening of mobility: cycling routes could be further developed, bicycle service points expanded, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure strengthened. The development of environmentally friendly cross-border public transport would reduce ecological footprints and vehicle traffic.

Social sustainability should also be treated as a priority objective: better results can be achieved by involving local communities, as strengthening local employment opportunities and integrating local gastronomy and cultural heritage into tourism offerings contribute to ensuring that thermal tourism creates long-term value not only for visitors but also for residents of the region.

1. Moravske Toplice (Terme 3000): The Slovenian Black Thermal Water and Family Experience

Moravske Toplice’s strongest attraction is its black thermal mineral water and its healing properties, as well as its large aquatic experience center, which offers indoor and outdoor pools, a water slide park, and wellness services for both families and guests seeking health-related treatments. The water-based programs combine well with active local experiences, as the thermal complex is surrounded by a beautiful golf course, while attractions in the region are accessible through well-developed cycling and Nordic walking routes. These experiences are further enhanced by restaurants renowned for their hospitality, offering healthy artisanal products and unforgettable gastronomic experiences made from locally sourced ingredients.

2. Zalakaros Spa: A Classic Yet Modern Hungarian Thermal Spa – Strong Medical Background Combined with Rich Family – Oriented Experiences

Zalakaros is one of Hungary’s best-known thermal spas, featuring a well-developed medical and adventure spa complex with indoor and outdoor pools, a water slide park, medical treatment center, and medical wellness services. It also has a strong general medical and rehabilitation offering, while placing significant emphasis on the family segment.

One of the greatest strengths of Zalakaros’ tourism appeal is its continuously developing and diverse accommodation supply. Visitors can choose from wellness hotels and family-friendly hotels to apartments, guesthouses, pensions, and high-category spa accommodations. A significant portion of the accommodation sector is directly linked to health and wellness tourism, enabling guests to enjoy comfortable and comprehensive services throughout the year.

The offer is well adapted to different target groups: families, elderly visitors seeking recovery, and guests looking for active recreation can all find suitable accommodation. Continuous developments and high-quality services contribute to making Zalakaros one of the defining tourism destinations of Western Transdanubia.

This position is further strengthened by the recent event that Andor Végh, CEO of the Zalakaros Spa, was elected President of the Hungarian Bath Association.

3. Lendava (Thermal Resort Lendava): Slovenian Borderland Accommodation – Wellness – Spa Combination

Thermal Resort Lendava is one of Slovenia’s well-known wellness and health tourism centers, welcoming visitors near the Hungarian border in a picturesque environment. The complex’s special feature is its paraffin-rich thermal water, which, due to its unique composition, has beneficial effects on musculoskeletal and rheumatic conditions.

Although Lendava’s thermal complex is smaller in scale, it offers comprehensive services including accommodations, wellness facilities, thermal pools, and family-friendly services, making it ideal for both visitors seeking relaxation and guests interested in active recreation. The region’s rich cultural and gastronomic offerings, as well as cycling and wine tourism opportunities, further enhance its tourism attractiveness.

Market Positioning

By Characteristics of Thermal Water

• Moravske Toplice stands out with its “black” thermal water, emphasizing healing effects and unique wellness experiences.
• Lendava highlights paraffin and mineral components with a more localized character.
• Zalakaros offers traditional thermal water with well-documented medicinal indications.

By Capacity and Attractions

• Moravske Toplice features a large aquatic experience center and extensive service portfolio.
• Zalakaros offers a comprehensive medical spa and water slide park with significant medical and rehabilitation capacities.
• Lendava is smaller but provides flexible services and strong accommodation integration.

By Target Groups

• Moravske Toplice: families + wellness/experience seekers
• Zalakaros: medical and medical wellness guests + families
• Lendava: short stays, cost-conscious couples/families, regional visitors

Potential Areas of Cooperation

Development of Joint Packages and Thematic Routes

Both younger, active target audiences and older guests seeking relaxation and healing could find the “3 Baths in 3 Days” package (Zalakaros – Lendava – Moravske Toplice) attractive. The package could be enriched with programs targeting different audiences and profiles, such as medical treatments, family water experiences, and wellness rituals. Such packages would increase average length of stay, guest nights, and broaden the visitor base.

Development of Transfer and Transportation Cooperation

In the Slovenian – Hungarian border region, the development of transfer and transportation cooperation is of key importance for strengthening tourism, economic relations, and regional mobility. Coordinated transport services – such as tourism transfers, cycling connections, and public transport cooperation – would help visitors reach the region’s tourism attractions and services more easily and quickly.

The objective of these developments is to strengthen cooperation among regional stakeholders – municipalities, tourism service providers, accommodations, and transport partners – while encouraging sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions. An integrated transport network improves the accessibility of cross-border destinations, increases guest nights, and supports the competitiveness of the joint Slovenian – Hungarian tourism offer.

Key destinations such as Zalakaros, Lendava, and Moravske Toplice could become even more closely connected through shared mobility and tourism developments. Such initiatives would most likely only be feasible through external funding sources, such as Interreg programs.

Development of Joint Health Tourism Protocols and References

In the Lendava – Moravske Toplice – Zalakaros region, the development of joint health tourism protocols and professional references could represent a significant step toward strengthening cross-border health tourism cooperation. Unified professional guidelines would contribute to harmonizing service quality, improving guest experiences, and enhancing the region’s international competitiveness.

The joint protocols could include the standardization of wellness and medical services, guest reception and health preservation processes, as well as the strengthening of sustainable and preventive health tourism approaches. Professional cooperation would also create opportunities for joint research, knowledge exchange, and training programs.

The thermal and wellness resources of the three destinations provide an excellent foundation for creating a common health tourism brand built on quality services, natural healing factors, and support for active lifestyles. In the long term, such cooperation could strengthen the region’s tourism attractiveness and increase visitor numbers.

Development and Operation of a Joint Marketing and Online Package Sales System

The creation of a cross-border “thermal region” brand with a multilingual booking platform and package offers should be considered.

The development of a joint marketing and online package sales system would create significant opportunities for strengthening cross-border tourism cooperation in the region.

The aim of the integrated system would be to present the region as a unified tourism destination through coordinated communication and a shared visual identity, thereby increasing its international visibility and competitiveness.

The online package sales platform could enable the creation of complex tourism offers combining wellness and health tourism services, gastronomic experiences, active tourism, and cultural programs.

Visitors could book accommodations, wellness packages, programs, and transfer services through a single interface, making travel planning simpler and more attractive.

Joint marketing activities – digital campaigns, social media appearances, participation in international tourism fairs, and shared promotional materials – would contribute to creating a unified tourism brand for the region. In the long term, the system could support growth in visitor traffic, longer stays, and the economic strengthening of local tourism service providers.

All these concepts could be implemented through continuous professional cooperation and development based on experience exchange, guaranteed by involving local universities and utilizing their professional expertise and experience.

The Nagykanizsa Campus of the University of Pannonia has already participated in several Slovenian – Hungarian Interreg projects, such as 5 Postakocsi and TELE-KA-LAND, while the Ernő Soós Research and Development Center could contribute its expertise in the complex water treatment of thermal waters to the project.

Furthermore, tourism experts from the University of Maribor already involved in the CROCUS project, including Dr. Tina Šegota, could provide valuable experience to strengthen Slovenian – Hungarian cross-border thermal tourism integration.

Possible Steps for Implementation

• Establishment of a consortium: management of the three spas, and local tourism offices, and economic development agencies, and universities.
• Market research and package development: joint assessment of tourism demand and price sensitivity; development of prototype packages (wellness, family, medical).
• Launch of transfer services: weekend minibus routes between Zalakaros Lendava Moravske Toplice with an integrated ticketing system.
• Joint online campaign: multilingual website + shared booking system + common promotional packages.
• Identification of funding sources: mapping cross-border tourism development programs.
• Language and service adaptation: multilingual receptions, treatment descriptions, and online content are essential, as the target audience includes Slovenian and Hungarian speakers, while German and English language use is also recommended for broader international audiences.

Connecting the three destinations through thermal tourism would enhance the region’s competitiveness: through complementary services, they could encourage longer stays and higher visitor spending, while joint marketing and transportation solutions would reduce accessibility barriers in border regions. The strategy aligns particularly well with the growing demand for sustainable, experience-based, and health-oriented tourism.

More information about the CROCUS project:

• https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101132454/it
• https://crocuseurope.eu
• https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13022258/

The characteristics of the Slovenian-Hungarian border area (Zalakaros, Nagykanizsa, Lendava, Moravske Toplice, Dobrovnik) provide an excellent foundation for a unified, cross-border tourism brand. Tourism development projects known by researchers of the CROCUS project at the University of Pannonia, stakeholders of the HU-SI Living Lab, and tourism professionals of the Zala-Pomurje region have long been considering positioning the area as a single destination, with a particular focus on sustainable tourism.

The Zalakaros-Nagykanizsa-Muravidék axis lies not only on the border of two countries but also forms a green corridor of nature, wellness, and culture.

As confirmed by the experience of the CROCUS ideation workshops, it would be essential for the Mura-Zala Region to create a common tourism brand, which could even bear the title: “Embraced by Green Hills and Valleys – The Boundless Healing Power of Nature.”

When planning joint sustainable tourism, the future lies in a shared “green” destination. The development of the brand could be based on local values, presented in an attractive way for the international market.

The creation of the brand is well supported by the key parallels and similar tourism attractions, as this region is unique in offering a perfect balance between tranquility and active recreation, enriched by the diversity of bilingual border culture.

Building on these natural similarities, several project ideas were submitted to the Interreg Slovenia–Hungary small-scale call in 2023. One of them was submitted by the Municipality of Nagybakónak (Hungary) and the Dobrovnik Tourism Office under the title: “We Are Alike – We Are One: Among Waters, on the Wings of Energy, in the Footsteps of Traditions”, focusing on networking events to share best practices and highlight similarities.

The cooperation was driven by the shared natural potential of the partners. The alignment of their visions provides an excellent basis for utilizing common values, developing joint tourism products, and fostering knowledge exchange. The partners saw the benefit of cross-border cooperation in coordinating future event organization, which could eventually evolve into a twin-town relationship.

Another project idea was submitted by the Moravske Toplice Tourism Office and the Municipality of Eszteregnye under the title: “From Neighbors to Friends: Borderless Cooperation for the Presentation and Preservation of Cultural Values.”

Here, the strongest common ground lies in the respect for and preservation of culture and traditions, as well as the need to create platforms for presentation and knowledge sharing. The project aimed to strengthen relationships between municipalities, civil organizations, and residents through planned events, generating long-term cooperation. It also sought to set an example for future generations about the importance of cross-border collaboration.

Additionally, the Municipality of Nagyrécse, as lead partner, submitted the “Bucket List” project idea together with previous partners, aiming to develop sustainable cross-border tourism. With a strong focus on slow tourism, the project included service development, training, transforming an existing TDM organization into an association, and organizing coordinated marketing. This clearly shows the local demand for jointly representing the border region, as also highlighted during the CROCUS workshop, where stakeholders welcomed the idea of a common online platform to present regional programs and offers.

Pillars of the Brand

The brand “Embraced by Green Hills and Valleys – The Boundless Healing Power of Nature” could be built on the following pillars (non-exhaustive), each suitable for dedicated tourism packages:

Dual Wellness Experience

Zalakaros – Gránit Thermal Spa: classic medicinal water rich in minerals
Moravske Toplice – Terme 3000: unique black thermal water
Message: Two countries, two types of healing thermal treasures. A wellness weekend embracing two cultures and two healing waters.

Cultural and Historical Values

Nagykanizsa: Hungarian Poster House and Thúry György Museum
Lendava: Castle and Gallery
Message: Continuity of culture along the Mura River. Cross-border art and history in constant dialogue.

Where Earth Meets Sky

Zalakaros region – Zala Hills: peaceful slopes, cycling routes, wine cellars
Lendava: – Vinarium Tower and Goričko Wine Region
Message: A place where you can literally overlook the heart of Central Europe. Wine routes connect Hungarian cellar villages with Slovenian vineyards.

Blue and Green-Lakes and Nature

Kis-Balaton: Buffalo Reserve, Kányavár Island
Dobrovnik: Bukovnik Lake, Ocean Orchids, Energy Park
Message: Visitors can experience untouched European wilderness and tropical magic in one journey, complemented by spiritual relaxation.

Joint Tourism Products

The shared brand could be strengthened through thematic routes and packages:

• Thermal Relaxation Package: 4-5 days including 2 nights in Zalakaros and 2 nights in Moravske Toplice
• “Over Hills and Valleys on Four Wheels”: joint cycling routes linking Hungarian and Slovenian networks
• Flavours of the Mura-Zala Region: gastronomic tours featuring local dishes and wines

These programs offer a cross-border experience, allowing tourists to explore the natural and healing treasures of two countries in a single trip.

Strengthening the Brand

• “Green Passport” System: a point-collection system encouraging visits to certified sustainable attractions on both sides
• Bilingual Information Points and Digital Platform: unified Hungarian-Slovenian-English website and mobile app
• Common Service Standards: a shared quality assurance system ensuring consistent regional standards

The goal of the brand is to present the Zala Hills and the Muravidék region together as an attractive, healthy, active, and culturally rich destination.

More information:

• https://www.visitmoravsketoplice.com/
• https://www.bukovniskojezero.si/hu
• https://www.lendava.si/
• https://zalakaros.hu/
• https://tourinformnagykanizsa.hu/

More information about the CROCUS project:

• https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101132454/it
• https://crocuseurope.eu
• https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13022258/

In the fields of Hosszúfalu (Dolga Vas), the pounding of hooves can be heard early in the morning, and the air is filled with the sound of trumpets and excitement. Spectators gather with flags in hand, and riders line up in ornate hussar uniforms.

This is the Mura Region Gallop (Muravidéki Vágta) – which has returned to its starting location after many races in Lendva (Lendava) – it is not just a competition, but a celebration where tradition, equestrian culture, and tourism form a special blend. The Mura Region Gallop – as one of the regional heats for the National Gallop – is the most grandiose and important equestrian event in the Slovenian-Hungarian border region, serving as both a

A Mura Region Story Leading to Budapest

The National Gallop (Nemzeti Vágta), which has been organized since 2008 – initially in Budapest’s Heroes’ Square – has become one of the biggest celebrations of Hungarian equestrian culture. The competition is linked to numerous regional heats, of which the Mura Region Gallop is one of the most significant stages for Hungarian communities across the border.

The Mura Region Gallop is the Mura region heat of the National Gallop, one of the most beautiful cross-border celebrations of Hungarian equestrian traditions. The road leading to the finals held in Hungary also starts here: riders from Dobronak (Dobrovnik), Lendva, Muraszombat (Murska Sobota), and the surrounding villages compete year after year to represent their region at this year’s contest in Szilvásvárad.

The 2025 Mura Region Gallop was already the ninth competition organized jointly by the Hungarians in Slovenia and the organizing committee of the National Gallop.

But the Mura Region Gallop is more than just a qualifying race. This event is a symbol of the identity and unity of the Hungarians of the Mura region, where the horse, the rider, and the community together form a tradition-preserving unit. The Mura Region Gallop is not only an equestrian competition but also an identity-strengthening, community-building, and tourism-boosting event.

Dobronak and Lendva: Keepers of the Tradition

In recent years, the names of Dobronak and Lendva have appeared increasingly often on the podium in the Mura region heats. Dobronak’s riders stand out for their discipline, preparation, and sportsmanship, while the village transforms the Gallop weekend into a tourist festival.

Lendva also participates with a strong presence year after year. The town attracts attention not only with its competitors but also with its hospitality and cultural diversity. On the day of the races, a craft fair, wine presentations, and folk music programs await visitors, and in the evening, the vineyard hill offers a spectacular view of the Mura region landscape – and the sunset, which shines in a different light even from the saddle of a horse.

Equestrian Tradition – Tourist Opportunity

Both equestrian gallops offer a special experience for sports enthusiasts and tourists alike. Behind the rhythm of the hooves lies an economic and cultural vibrancy.

During the Mura Region Gallop, the region’s tourist service providers – guesthouses, wineries, restaurants – come alive. Visitors taste local wines, buy handcrafted products, and get acquainted with the unique gastronomy of the Mura region. The event thus simultaneously attracts tourists and strengthens the local economy.

The day of the gallop is therefore not just about the horses, but also about the presentation of the region. Every settlement represents itself with stands, flags, and folk costumes – a living, moving tourist exhibition unfolds around the track. These successes and initiatives show that equestrian competitions are capable of connecting tradition with a modern approach to tourism and directing international attention to the Mura region.

A Bridge Between Two Countries

The specialty of the Mura Region Gallop is that it forms a cultural bridge between Hungary and Slovenia.

Hungarian and Slovenian visitors, riders, and organizers together cherish the common tradition – the love of horses, the closeness to nature, and the belief in the power of community. This event connects the two countries not only through sport but also through cultural diplomacy.

As Ferenc Göntér, a rider from Dobronak, puts it: “When I’m on the horse, I don’t feel whether I’m on this side of the border or the other – only that our traditions are shared.”

The Future of the Gallop: A New Engine for Tourism

The Mura Region Gallop could already be a tourist brand name today, not just an event.

The traditional equestrian programs, the accompanying gastronomic and musical events, and the natural settings all offer an experience that the modern traveler seeks: authentic, communal, and spectacular.

A tourism breakthrough point could be that the Gallop remains not just a one-day event but becomes a defining pillar of the region’s tourist calendar – which could be linked to hikes, wine routes, themed programs, and even equestrian touring routes.

The Mura Region Gallop carries on the spirit of the National Gallop – in a Mura region style.

A day when Dobronak and Lendva show once again that the equestrian tradition is not a reflection on the past but a living tourism opportunity. A day when the horse not only races but also builds bridges between cultures, countries, and people. And a day when the Mura region – through the pounding of hooves – makes its voice heard again in the Carpathian Basin.

The Best Riders of the Mura Region Gallop

The best riders of the Mura Region Gallop qualified as entrants for the National Gallop held in early October in Szilvásvárad.

The competition day began with the junior hussars, and from the 7 heats, the riders of 12 settlements advanced to the semi-finals on Sunday, where the heat was won by Lea Gombóc, representing Dobronak.

In a fierce final race, Anna Júlia Rozs, representing Magyarkanizsa, won the 18th National Gallop.

The Tourist Significance of the Equestrian Gallop:

The equestrian gallops are complex tourist events. Their significance can be measured in several dimensions:

Cultural Tourism: The gallops revive equestrian traditions, hussar culture, folk costumes, and symbols of Hungarian identity. Spectators receive not only a sporting experience but also a cultural journey through time.

Gastronomic and Rural Tourism: During the Mura Region Gallop, local producers, winemakers, and artisans can showcase their wares. The event also boosts the local economy – accommodation providers, catering establishments, and tourist service providers profit from the influx of visitors.

Cross-Border Cooperation: The event is a living example of Hungarian-Slovenian relations, which is valuable not only from a sporting but also from a diplomatic and cultural perspective. The cooperation between the Mura region and Hungary also creates new tourist packages, joint programs, and promotional opportunities.

Community Building and Identity Strengthening: For the Hungarians of the Mura region, the Mura Region Gallop is a celebration of community cohesion. Riders, organizers, and spectators are all part of an experience that strengthens local identity and national belonging.

• https://pomurskigalop.si/
• https://www.facebook.com/MuravidekiVagta.PomurskiGalop
• https://www.vagta.hu/
• https://www.facebook.com/NemzetiVagta

More information about the CROCUS project:

• https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101132454/it
• https://crocuseurope.eu
• https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13022258/

Opinion leaders from Slovenia and Hungary participating in the CROCUS project held a joint dance house event

The dance house held on Saturday at the Móricz Zsigmond Cultural Centre in Nagykanizsa started with a performance by the Zsitkóc Slivovica Folk Dance Ensemble. This was followed by Alenka and Rudolf Toplak, who presented and taught dances from the Lendava region to the participants of the dance house.

The Zsitkóc Slivovica Folk Dance Ensemble is one of the most important tradition-preserving groups of the settlement of Zsitkóc (Žitkovci) in the Muravidék region, focusing on nurturing local Hungarian and Slovenian folk culture. The ensemble is based in Zsitkóc, which administratively belongs to the Municipality of Dobrovnik. Its repertoire primarily includes Hungarian folk dances from the Muravidék region (such as slow and fast csárdás dances and verbunk dances) and folk songs, but also frequently features bourgeois dances characteristic of the region. The ensemble often performs across the border at festivals in Hungary as well. In Zsitkóc, both an adult and a children’s folk dance group operate, ensuring the transmission of traditions to younger generations. The name of the group, “Slivovica,” refers to the plum brandy typical of the region, which symbolizes local agriculture and hospitality. The ensemble’s work is closely linked to the cultural activities of the Muravidék Hungarian Self-Governing National Community (MMÖNK), which supports the preservation of minority Hungarian culture in Slovenia.

The professional work of the Zsitkóc Slivovica Folk Dance Ensemble is indeed supported by István Tóth “Csonti” as a dance teacher and choreographer. He is a member of the Core Development Team of the CROCUS project and the director of the Móricz Zsigmond Cultural Centre in Nagykanizsa. In the course of his work, he collaborates closely not only with the Zsitkóc group but also with other ensembles in the region (for example, folk dance groups in Dobrovnik).

In the Lendava region, dance collections were carried out in the 21st century at the initiative of local folk dance ensemble leaders. The Muravidék Folk Dance Ensemble, founded in 1999, toured the Carpathian Basin until 2010 without being able to present its own Muravidék or Lendava-region material on stage. During the major wave of folk dance collecting, researchers did not reach the Muravidék region.

However, due to the performances of the Muravidék Folk Dance Ensemble, the need arose for the ensemble to appear on stage with its own dance material. As a result, between 2007 and 2010, the then leaders of the ensemble, Alenka Toplak and Rudolf Toplak, visited elderly members of the region to ask how and what they danced in their youth, and what festivities and weddings were like at that time.

The result of six collecting occasions is approximately seventeen hours of recordings containing conversations about dance, dance life and dance occasions, dance and wedding customs, as well as dance demonstrations by middle-aged and elderly participants. Only traces of old-style dances could be recalled from memory, although their folk music material has survived. The region’s new-style dances include the csárdás, fast csárdás and circle csárdás, which are rather poor and worn in terms of motifs, and the motifs of the csárdás and fast csárdás differ very little from each other. When weddings are mentioned, however, a multitude of popularized bourgeois social dances emerge from memory. The wedding dance repertoire of the region is very rich, and a significant part of the dance heritage consists of Western-origin, popularized bourgeois social dances. Those interviewed performed seventeen different wedding and bourgeois-origin dances. These dances represent folk dance for the local population.

The extent of the dance dialect boundaries of this region cannot be precisely determined. This would require a more detailed comparative analysis comparing the dances of Muravidék with those of other areas of Zala and Vas counties, as well as with Slovenian dances of Muravidék and Croatian dances of Međimurje.

Rudolf Toplak, president of the Petőfi Sándor Cultural Association of Dobrovnik, and his wife, Alenka Toplak, a teacher and folk dancer, are also members of the Core Development Team of the CROCUS project. The “Dobrovnik dances” are connected to the Muravidék Hungarian folk dance traditions, specifically to the old dance and musical material of the area around the Municipality of Dobrovnik, where the “Gólyamadár” (Stork Bird) is a well-known folk song (and dance) motif that appears in folk music collections and forms part of the local cultural heritage, also featured in descriptions of dances and folk customs. In addition to the csárdás and fast turning dances, participants of the dance house also became acquainted with the folk dance associated with the Gólyamadár folk song.

This borderless dance house also demonstrates how many cultural connections are hidden in border regions.

More information about the CROCUS project:

• https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101132454/it
• https://crocuseurope.eu
• https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13022258/

Tourism Connection Opportunities between the Lendava Bograč Festival and the Nagykanizsa Dödölle Festival in Strengthening Cross-Border Cooperation

In the development of border regions, cultural and gastronomic tourism is gaining increasing importance, serving not only to preserve local identity but also to strengthen international relations.

The Lendava Bograč Festival (Slovenia) and the Nagykanizsa Dödölle Festival (Hungary) are two geographically and culturally close events that provide excellent examples of the potential for cross-border cooperation. Both festivals aim to preserve and promote local gastronomic heritage while being deeply rooted in community traditions.

The Lendava Bograč Festival is a joint celebration of the Hungarian community in the Mura region and the Slovenian population, centered around bograč dishes — traditional stews that represent the region’s culinary heritage.

Lendava, often called the capital of bograč, hosts Slovenia’s largest bograč cooking competition every year. This well-established gastronomic event has been attracting thousands of visitors for over a decade to the town’s main street, where they can enjoy the bustling activity of the cooking teams throughout the day.

The Dödölle Festival celebrates the iconic dish of the Zala region — dödölle — highlighting the value of rural gastronomy and community cohesion. The festival was launched nearly two decades ago, in 2006. One of its early highlights was a record-breaking attempt to prepare 2,500 servings of dödölle in a single cauldron.

Over time, Nagykanizsa has earned the title “the capital of dödölle”, not only locally but also at county and national level. This success is partly due to the organizers’ conscious efforts to create a diverse festival experience including cooking competitions, cultural programs, live music, markets, wine houses, and artisan stalls.

Both festivals represent significant tourist attractions, increasing regional visitation and economic activity. The similarities between the two events offer opportunities to establish structured cooperation, such as:

• Joint thematic programs: Developing a twin-festival model in which the events host each other annually, showcasing the gastronomic specialties of the partner region.
• Creation of a tourist route: Establishing a “Mura–Zala Gastro Route” linking Lendava, Nagykanizsa, and surrounding settlements with gastronomic and cultural stops.
• Joint promotion and marketing strategy: Developing a unified visual and communication identity to present the region’s cross-border culinary world, potentially supported by EU funds (e.g., Interreg, V-A programs).
• Training and youth programs: Organizing culinary workshops, cooking schools, and community events for young people, promoting heritage preservation and sustainable tourism.
• Development of tourism packages: Creating weekend packages built around the festival seasons, including accommodation and tasting experiences.

The Lendava Bograč Festival and the Nagykanizsa Dödölle Festival serve as instruments of shared cultural heritage and identity, capable of building bridges between Hungary and Slovenia through gastronomy.

The joint tourism product resulting from their cooperation could not only strengthen the local economy but also contribute to the integrated tourism development of the cross-border region and deepen Central European cultural cooperation.

More information about the CROCUS project:

• https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101132454/it
• https://crocuseurope.eu
• https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13022258/