Why do we count visits?
Visitor data enables us to better understand how visitors explore the Bela Krajina region, and to plan the development and management of the destination based on the actual situation on the ground.
In Bela Krajina, we are gradually setting up a system to monitor visitor numbers in the areas of greatest tourist interest and highest visitor pressure. Visitor counters have been or will be installed at selected locations along the River Kolpa and on the new long-distance walking trail through Bela Krajina.
The aim is simple: to gather high-quality data that will help us manage visitor numbers more effectively, plan infrastructure and the development of tourist facilities, whilst ensuring a balance between visitors, the local population and the natural environment.
Where are we monitoring visitor numbers?
Along the Kolpa River
We have installed IR counters at 11 selected pilot locations along the Kolpa to monitor visitor numbers.
The data will give us a better insight into the seasonality of visitor numbers, the busiest days and periods, differences between individual locations, and the relationship between visitor numbers and weather conditions. The counters along the River Kolpa are located in/at:
- Prelesje
- Radenci
- Damlje
- Vinica
- Žuniči
- Adlešič
- Pobrežje
- Griblje
- Podzemlje
- Primostku
- Križevska vas.
On the long-distance walking trail through Bela Krajina
We are also incorporating the visitor monitoring system into the project to establish a long-distance hiking trail through Bela Krajina, which will link the entire destination area.
Counters along the trail will help us determine how many walkers use it, which sections are the most popular, and how visitor numbers change throughout the year.
This data will be important for the further development of hiking facilities, the maintenance of the trail and infrastructure, and for directing visitors to less-visited parts of the destination and outside the main summer season.
The counters are located at:
- Sodevska Stena
- Krašnji vrh
- the source of the River Krupa
- Mitreju near Rožanc
- Mirna Gora
- Divji Potok.
What do the counters actually record?
Quite simply – they count visits.
IR counters record visitor passages at individual locations. The counter consists of two parts that send an IR beam from one to the other. When the beam is interrupted (passage through the counter), the counter records the passage. They do not take photographs, record videos or collect personal data. The data collected is used to monitor and analyse visitor numbers.
Why do we count?
Because we want to know what is actually happening at the destination.
The data helps us understand:
- when and where visitor numbers are highest,
- how visitor numbers change throughout the year,
- which parts of the destination and routes are more or less popular,
- how visitor numbers are affected by the weather, the season and other factors,
- how visitor numbers change over a longer period.
What will we do with the data?
Counting is not an end in itself.
The data will help us to plan and maintain tourism infrastructure, develop hiking and other outdoor activities, guide visitors and identify, in good time, areas where visitor pressure is greatest. At the same time, we wish to encourage a more even distribution of visitors across the whole of Bela Krajina and throughout the year.
We do not want more visitors at any cost. We want to manage visitor numbers more effectively.
In this way, we can build a destination that is pleasant for visitors, offers a high quality of life for locals and respects nature.
Who carries out the monitoring?
Pilot visitor monitoring is being carried out as part of the destination’s activities Bela krajina.
RIC Bela krajina – Destination Management Organisation (DMO)
www.belakrajina.si
info@belakrajina.si
