The first rurAllure regional meeting of the project pilot “Natural heritage along the Ways to Csíksomlyó / Ways of Mary” took place in Budapest, Hungary, on 2 July 2021. Participants from Hungary, Slovakia, and Romanian Transylvania virtually joined their peers from KIFÜ and MUTKE who met in person Budapest.

This fruitful meeting allowed to further develop the pilot’s strategies and discuss upcoming activities. Such actions as the first dissemination event, newly deployed CMS system, POI (points of interest) inventory, and communication plans were all reviewed during the meeting. Two subgroups were formed: one for the communication matters, and another for POI inventory led by KIFÜ and MUTKE experts.

After a long time of COVID-related restrictions, this meeting was the first opportunity for Hungarian team members to meet in person. Therefore a technical visit along the Ways to Csíksomlyó / Ways of Mary was organised along its section in Budapest to familiarise the partners with the route’s heritage and tourism potential.

Dr. Ildikó Kádárné Kelemen (KIFÜ), pilot’s leader leader said: “This regional meeting was a great chance to shape our collaboration that helps to reach rurAllure objectives. In person meetings are invaluable, particularly now, when we are all busy planning the first pilot event  for September 2021. Our staff is also engaged in reaching out for pilgrims and conduct surveys, as summer is a peak season for pilgrims in Hungary – especially this year when lockdown rules have been withdrawn just early summer.”