The Challenges in New Tourist Destination Development within the Area of Ecological Network Natura 2000

Natura 2000 is often equated with protected areas where human activities are significantly limited or even excluded in order to preserve biodiversity. However, Natura 2000 is based on other settings. Most of the activities and projects in the Natura area can be carried out with the mitigation of possible negative impacts. Sometimes they need only minor adjustments. Proposals of major development projects or changes in land use should undergo the evaluation of acceptability for the ecological network. If the assessment is positive, the procedure will be allowed if it is in the Natura area. As such, the Natura 2000 can provide new opportunities for rural areas, for example through eco-tourism and recreation. The paper will provide a SWOT analysis of micro location of building a new transport route, which is aimed at the development of new tourist destinations in the protected area