SPOT

Social and innovative Platform On cultural Tourism and its potential towards deepening Europeanisation

Graphic "What does a Kangaroo want with a gherkin?" is the kangaroo going with the cucumber?" — Graphic: N. Bongaerts/IOER-Media

The SPOT project is being carried out within the framework of the EU's Horizon 2020 funding programme. Case studies from 15 countries will be examined in the period 2020-2022. The aim is to create an innovative platform that brings together, inspires and empowers stakeholders of cultural tourism. It helps to develop regional identities and shall deepen the social and scientific cooperation between European countries.

The SPOT project initiated an international competition for the best case study description of the 15 partners. This website is the German competition entry and wants to interest and attract people to the region.

The German SPOT study area "Lieberose/Oberspreewald" is situated in the South of Brandenburg (about 100 km from Berlin to the south-east ) and represents a very special part of the north German glacial lowland. Its name “Leichhardt Land” reminds us of the ancient explorer of the Australian continent. It includes a desert-like former military training area called “Lieberoser Heide”, which is designated to become the largest wilderness area in Germany. The southwest part belongs to the UNESCO biosphere reserve “Spreewald”, this is well-known among others for its regional farm products such as pickles and nice boat trips. Near the lake called “Schwielochsee” there are marinas, campgrounds and beaches and, of course, a kangaroo enclosure at the Ludwig Leichhardt campsite.

Mill illustrates culture — Photo: R.-U. Syrbe, Collage: N. Bongaerts

Culture?
– Manifold.

Special engineering, visual arts amazing architecture, unique traditions and events among others from Sorbian minority.

Face of a beaver illustrates "Animals — Photo: on unsplash.com, Collage: N. Bongaerts

Animals?
– Wild.

Beavers shape the landscape, since the otters, Spreewald’s emblem animals, are hidden! But of course, the wolf is the king of terrestrial wilderness.

Coniferous trees on sandy soil to illustrate "desert". — Photo: R.-U. Syrbe, Collage: N. Bongaerts

Desert?
– Dry.

The Lieberoser Heide is too dry to become a dense forest once again. Special paths and a lookout hill allow one to experience the heathland.

Technical description:

The German study area is the "Amt Lieberose/Oberspreewald", an administrative association of eight municipalities in the cultural region “Niederlausitz” and belongs to the federal state “Brandenburg”. The „Amt Lieberose/Oberspreewald“ consists of the municipalities Alt Zauche-Wußwerk, Byhleguhre-Byhlen, Jamlitz, Stadt Lieberose, Neu Zauche, Schwielochsee, Spreewaldheide, Straupitz (Spreewald).

Website of the Amtsgemeinde (only available in German)

Website of the Leichhardt Land (by Tourism association, only available in German):

Map of the study area Lusatia, Project SPOT Horizon 2020 — Map of the German SPOT study area (map: U. Schinke, R.-U. Syrbe)

From August to October 2020, surveys of visitors and residents as well as interviews with entrepreneurs were conducted in Lusatia/Brandenburg (Lieberose/Oberspreewald district). During the preparation of the questionnaires, the project was caught up with the COVID 19 pandemic. For this reason, some questions on travel behaviour during the pandemic were also added. As a result of the survey, a first research report "Cultural Tourism in Rural Areas: Results of a Visitor and Resident Survey in the Lieberose/Oberspreewald (Brandenburg) District in the Corona Year 2020" was produced.

The interviews of the businesses are currently being evaluated.
The survey results of the year 2020 from the Lieberose-Oberspreewald office are now freely available for download in an online brochure.