Project title: “MariEx – Creating new Maritime Experience Points & marketing narratives for land tourists to renew the maritime destination profile of the South Baltic area” , financed by the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027 .
The main objective of the MariEx project is to renew the profile of maritime destinations in the South Baltic region by:
- transforming smaller ports into “Maritime Experience Points” that consider the needs and expectations of actual port users, land tourists and residents,
- development and implementation of an innovative marketing approach around the concept of “new port life” that will increase the attractiveness of the region for land tourists and leisure guests.
As part of the project, four pilot ports have been selected to be transformed into Maritime Experience Points (MEP):
- Freest (Germany) – transformation of the fishing port, which is evolving into a marina for recreational boats and water tourism, to become attractive also for land tourists,
- Darłowo (Poland) – transformation of a small commercial, fishing and recreational port in a seaside resort into an interactive maritime space for land tourists,
- Hörte (Sweden) – revitalization of an abandoned fishing port thanks to the initiative of a local non-governmental organization, transforming it into a resting place for tourists and a meeting center for the local community,
- Dreverna (Lithuania) – counteracting the effects of over-tourism by restoring access to the port to local residents and other user groups.
Specially tailored activities will be carried out in each of the selected ports, including:
- surveys of residents’ and tourists’ opinions on the current perception of ports,
- development of local concepts and strategies for transforming ports into Maritime Experience Points (MEP),
- design and implementation of sample investments,
- assessment of the perception of ports after the transformation,
- documenting the process of transforming ports into inclusive MEPs, which will facilitate replication of the model in other locations.
In addition, the project plans various activities, such as: study visits, inspirational workshops, dialogue events, review sessions and MariEx Helpdesk. The aim of these activities is both to inspire effective marketing campaigns and to create a platform for dialogue for the renewal of the maritime profile of the South Baltic.
Project partners:
Tourism Association Vorpommern, Germany
The Association of Sea Cities and Municipalities, Poland
Municipality of Darłowo, Poland
Hörte Harbour Association, Sweden
VisitSydsjælland-Møn A/S, Denmark
Municipality of Kröslin, Germany
Administration of Klaipėda District Municipality, Lithuania
Union of the Baltic Cities, Poland
Association Klaipeda Region, Lithuania