THE NATURAL GEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RADENCI MUNICIPALITY AS AN ADVANTAGE FOR THE PROMOTION OF TOURISM

Občina Radenci sodi med razvite slovenske turistične destinacije naravnih zdravilišč in je hkrati mednarodno poznana po kvalitetnih virih mineralne vode, pod zaščitno znamko Radenska tri srca. Namen diplomskega dela je predstaviti naravnogeografske značilnosti, ki so omogočile nastanek naravnih virov ‒ mineralne in geotermalne vode ‒ ter njihov potencial skozi čas, od odkritja do danes. S pomočjo študija strokovne literature, splošnega poznavanja kraja, internetnih virov in pogovorov z udeleženci smo ustvarili podlago za diplomsko delo. Nova razvojna paradigma razvoja podeželja OECD in skupna kmetijska politika EU sta prinesli nov pogled na podeželski prostor, kjer ni več v ospredju kmetijski sektor ampak večsektorski pristop, s poudarkom na prostoru in ob upoštevanju vseh udeležencev na osnovi lokalnih iniciativ od spodaj navzgor – holistični pristop. Glavni cilj naloge je, s pobudami od spodaj navzgor, poudariti naravnogeografske značilnosti, ki so omogočile nastanek kvalitetnih naravnih virov. Te vire, predvsem pojav številnih izvirov mineralne in termalne vode, bi morala občina izkoristiti kot argument pri skupni promociji turizma. Poudarek bi moral biti na bogati zgodovinski tradiciji in na kvaliteti naravnih virov. S povezavo vseh udeležencev turistične ponudbe v Radencih bi Radenci kot prepoznaven zdraviliško-turističen kraj dobili večjo dodano vrednost v turističnih ponudbah. Le-te bi s svojimi programi pritegnile več turistovposledično bi se lahko uvajala nova delovna mesta, ki so osnova za nadaljnji razvoj samega kraja.As a natural spa resort, the Radenci municipality belongs to the group of developed Slovenian tourist destinations, and is at the same time internationally renowned for its quality mineral water resources known under the trademark Radenska tri srca (Radenska three hearts). The purpose of this diploma thesis is to present the natural and geographical features that made the emergence of this natural resources – mineral and geothermal water – possible, and their potentials from the time of their discovery until now. The diploma thesis is based on studying specialized literature, general knowledge of the location and interviews. The new OECD development paradigm for rural development and EU Common Agricultural Policy have brought new views on rural areas: the agricultural sector is no longer considered as the most important, but instead the focus is shifted to the multi-sector approach. The emphasis here is on the area itself and all the participants in all local initiatives from the lowest to the highest level are taken into account in this holistic approach. The primary aim of this thesis is to draw attention to the natural and geographical features that made the emergence of these quality natural resources possible through initiatives from the lowest to the highest level. The municipality should use these resources, especially numerous mineral and thermal water springs, as an argument for a joint tourism promotion. The emphasis should be on the rich historical tradition and on the quality of natural resources. By connecting all tourist service providers in Radenci the municipality would become more recognizable and valued as health tourism destination and thus gain bigger added value in tourist offers. Such tourist offers could attract more tourists with their programsas a consequence new jobs could be created – which is fundamental for further development of the town itself