N-B-Well

Project title: 'Nature-based wellness tourism - a new concept for sustainable development of the SBA'

Project number STHB.03.01-IP.01-0013/23

Project activities implementation period: 15 July 2024 - 14 July 2027 (36 months)

The aim of the project is to ensure the conditions for sustainable development and resilience of the tourism sector in the Southern Baltic Area through the development of innovative thematic cross-border nature-based wellness routes specifically tailored for health recovery and enhancement. By promoting cross-border cooperation, these thematic routes will create new business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, increase the visibility of tourism in the region and promote sustainable development by reducing seasonality.

Expected project results:

  1. Guidelines and a framework for the development of the sustainable N-B-Well tourism model, aimed at promoting health recovery and enhancement in the SBA region. This outcome will include the development of a certification scheme for N-B-Well network organisations.

  2. A system of cross-border touristic routes designed to enhance health and wellbeing in the SBA. It will adopt a holistic approach, each route covering different thematic focus: 1. physical health; 2. mental health; 3. emotional health and well-being recovery

  3. Interactive digital platform for navigating cross-border health recovery tourism offerings via N-B-Well thematic routes.  This tool will allow businesses to cooperate in the development of cross-border tourism offers, enabling tourists to choose their itineraries according to their physical and mental health conditions, illnesses, fitness levels and travel preferences.

  4. Establishment of an N-B-Well tourism network to ensure the longevity of the project's results, using the experience and expertise of the project and associated partners.

The achievement of the aforementioned results will contribute significantly to the sustainable development of the Southern Baltic Region. Increased tourism activity will enhance the region's attractiveness to both domestic and international tourists, improving their overall experience and boosting the region's competitive edge. Cross-border cooperation will facilitate the development of diverse, year-round, natural resource-based wellness tourism services. This will reduce dependency on specific seasons, create new business opportunities, promote entrepreneurship, and generate jobs within the community. A unified approach to marketing and certification will improve the visibility and quality of services in the South Baltic region, leading to increased tourist inflows. Additionally, the development of innovative N-B-Well routes will foster positive changes in public health and well-being.

Project activities:

  • Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the N-B-Well tourism concept, including traveler typologies and identification of best practices in N-B-Well tourism.

  • Perform a market analysis and develop a certification system for tourism businesses.

  • Organize seminars for business representatives.

  • Carry out an analysis of existing route models to inform the development of N-B-Well themed health and well-being routes.

  • Analyze the supply of tourism facilities and service providers.

  • Develop tourism routes focused on holistic health restoration and enhancement, and organize pilot study visits.

  • Create an interactive online map of sustainable N-B-Well tourist routes, integrated into the main website.

  • Identify and network with SMEs that have the potential and interest in implementing N-B-Well proposals.

  • Develop digital training materials and self-learning courses for SMEs.

Project partners:

Klaipėda University, the lead partner of the project, has assembled a consortium of seven institutions, including universities, associations, and public organizations, along with eleven associate partners from four countries in the South Baltic Area (Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Denmark). Cross-border and inter-institutional cooperation is crucial for the N-B-Well project to achieve its goal of enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of the tourism sector in the South Baltic Area.

Contacts:

Project Lead Partner
Klaipeda University
Health Research and Innovation Science Centre
https://www.ku.lt/en/

Project leader Dr Daumantas Bočkus
daumantas.bockus@ku.lt

Communication Manager Rasa Rupulevičienė
rasa.rupuleviciene@ku.lt

Finance Manager Jurgita Maračkinaitė
jurgita.marackinaite@ku.lt

Project partner 2
EUCC Baltic Office
https://www.eucc-klaipeda.net/contact

Project partner 3
Roskilde Business College, Denmark
https://www.rhs.dk/english/

Project partner 4
University of Gdansk, Poland
https://en.ug.edu.pl/

Project partner 5
Polish Union of Active Mobility
https://mobilnosc.org/en

Project partner 6
University of Rostock, Germany
https://www.uni-rostock.de/en/

Project partner 7
Nida Culture and Tourism Information Centre "Agila", Lithuania
https://www.visitneringa.com/

Associated project partners: Gdansk Convention Bureau, Poland; The Lithuanian Resorts Association, Association Klaipeda Region; Northern Chamber of Commerce in Szczecin, Poland; Corolab (Centre for Innovation through Partnerships), Denmark; Association of Towns and Municipalities of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany; Visit Fjordlandet, Denmark; City of Buetzow, Germany; Tourism Association "North Kashubia" Local Tourist Organisation, Poland; Institute of Quality Development, Germany; National Association of Medical SPA and Rehabilitation Centers, Lithuania.

Total project budget EUR 1 616 890,00 (ERDF EUR 1 293 512,00)

The project is funded by the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021 - 2027
2nd call for project proposals
Priority: 3 - Attractive South Baltic – activate the tourist and cultural potential of South Baltic Area
Programme Measure 3.1 - Developing sustainable, resilient and innovative tourism