Škocjanski zatok nature reserve as opportunity for development of ecological tourism.

Sustainable Tourism: Socio-Cultural, Environmental and Economics Impact, pp. 147-158, 2011

I. Jurinčič, G. Balažič, Lj. Sinkovič: ŠKOCJANSKI ZATOK NATURE RESERVE AS OPPORTUNITY ...

147

ŠKOCJANSKI ZATOK NATURE RESERVE AS

OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF

ECOLOGICAL TOURISM

Igor Jurinčič

Gregor Balažič

Ljudmila Sinkovič

UDC 338.48:711.2:504](497.4)

Received 23 February 2011

Revised 4 May 2011

5 September 2011

Abstract

Protected nature reserves represent one of the measures to preserve natural environment. In

Slovenia 12.57 % of the total area is environmentally protected. One of those areas is the

Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve in the immediate vicinity of Koper/Capodistria. It is the largest

brackish wetland in Slovenia with a unique environment for thriving flora and fauna. The

manager of the nature reserve, which is open to the public, is DOPPS – BirdLife Slovenia that

manages the nature reserve and organises guided tours for visitors. The reserve is due to its

location and a great variety of specific plant and animal species an ideal opportunity for a

development of environmentally and ecologically oriented tourism activity. The environmental

planning has to be therefore strictly in line with nature protection measures as only sustainable

development of the nature reserve can enable its successful development in the sense of

ecological tourism forms.

With the help of the SWOT analysis this paper tries to establish the potentials of the development

for ecological forms of tourism in the nature reserve, and attempts to give suggestions for some

suitable forms of interpretation. It also states a critical reflection on the prospective reserve

management and provides some suggestions on visiting issues and sustainable development of

the area.

Keywords Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve, Interpretation, Ecological tourism, SWOT analysis

THE FORMATION OF THE ŠKOCJAN ZATOK NATURE RESERVE AND

ITS MEANING

The Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve is situated today in the immediate vicinity of

Koper/Capodistria and it is a remaining of the sea that once surrounded the town. Two

rivers that ran into the sea (the Badaševica and the Rižana rivers) caused the area to

become a marshland. The formation of the Škocjanski zatok itself is linked to the

development of the town of Koper/Capodistria and its port as in the 1960’s the

activities to dry up the bay and to eliminate the remaining bay-water started. The area

that from the 13th century to 1911 hosted the Škocjan saltpans turned into the largest

brackish wetland in Slovenia with a unique environment for thriving flora and fauna.

The manager of the nature reserve, which is open to the public, DOPPS – BirdLife

Slovenia in association with the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning has

set up the nature reserve and organises guided tours for visitors. The reserve is due to

its location and a great variety of specific plant and animal species an ideal opportunity

for a development of environmentally and ecologically oriented tourism activity. The