DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT - EQULIZATION OR DIFFERENTIATION
Abstract
Our topic is about the destination building in rural spaces, focusing on the transformation of villages affected by structural changes. The examined destination is the area of the northern Mecsek, especially the local holiday resort Orfű. The main question would be: how did these destinations develop and what is their future? We have chosen the villages of Orfű and Abaliget which are integrated part of a complex recreation system surrounding Pécs. In the 1960’s and 1970’s several locations have created, dominantly based on the environmental Mecsek hills. Because of the conception of the “socialist” welfare of the working classes, these areas were built mainly for recreation of the miners and their family but they became popular destination for the population of the cities as well, as the structure of economic and employment slowly changed in the 1980’s. One of the most complex areas were Orfű and Abaliget. There are close to Pécs (which is a big advantage) and have amazing nature capabilities. Orfű and Abaliget were getting through the similar process but different trends came up.
With these backgrounds the two settelments had different develop ways. On the one hand the population in Orfű has been increased during the years. Traditionally these villages was economically based on agriculture, dominantly livestock breeding so there were lots of pastures than forests. It was the traditional landuse based animal husbandry. If we examine the population with chain diagram it can show up that Orfű had an interesting growing. The number of population has been decreased in the '60's than we can see a stable condition until the late '90-s and from that time the population has been increasing. On the other hand Abaliget always had this stable condition, we can see only a little increase during the last century.
If we examine the tourism side we can see the dominancy of the guesthouses, holiday houses and camping. The private house rent is dominant as well. The increase of the tourism in Orfű was very fast until the political changeover but after that the numbers of the tourist has decreased dramatically. Abaliget has not so dominant touristic function.
To summarize all of these Orfű is a good example for renewal, for a successful transformation. First due to the administrative integration saved the town from the ageing and migration. It let its pastures behind and built up a new and marketable image. It was conscious development in the past but Orfű could hold this position after the political transformation. It couldn’t have happened without the fact that the village is on the edge of an urban area. These results shows that Orfű is on an energic path, it was able. Abaliget has also won with the tourism but it couldn’t use its opportunities that much. The basic problem is the accessibility of the village is a bit worth than Orfü's. It seems it is enough to get less from the touristical advantages.
