The purpose of the Krasn’Krš Academy – Expert tourism product is to explore and understand karst, to link all of the centers into a unified product that motivates people to visit several centers, not just one. It also acts as a linking agent between the centers, enabling mutual promotion. The product also made sure to offer a joint ticket for all four centers, linking them together and incentivizing the visitor to visit the other centers. Upon visiting the first center, the visitors receive a promotional flyer presenting all the interpretation centers included in the project. Each interpretation center features one question related to the contents of the specific center and there is space on the flyer for the answer. Visitors who collect all of the answers are awarded the title Krasn'Krš Expert. Upon presenting the card with all four correct answers, they get a practical prize at any of the centers. The questions are related to the main narratives represented by each center in the Krasn'Krš project: Sežana = karst vegetation, Škocjan Caves = geology, Brod na Kui = human and nature, Punat = olive oil production. This method stimulates collaboration between the centers and encourages visitors coming to an individual center to discover karst from other aspects as well.
Product story:
“4Karst Academy offers all eager karst explorers a hike across the different types of karst to explore its greatest secrets. This includes strolling on high karst on the Platak Plateau and seeing exhibitions that broaden the horizon, sweeping views all the way to the sea, to discovering the geology, vegetation, and human influences on the diverse karst landscape. A visit to each of the four points reveals the answer to a question and after collecting all four, visitors get a practical prize in the last center along with the title Krasn'Krš Expert. You can start your adventure in Sežana by visiting the interpretation center for karst vegetation. Karst is known for its specific vegetation on this often rough and harsh rocky surface. Only the most persistent and resilient plants have managed to survive, plant their roots, and envelop the karst landscape in their aromas and colors. Find the answer about the most typical karst plant species and set your sights on new challenges. The next stop is the Škocjan Caves Park and its exhibition on contact karst. Can you name all the different karst landforms? What is the significance of contact karst? Our guides will lead you to the park’s updated geological exhibition that reveals how the underground world of Škocjan Caves was formed and will then encourage people to visit the nearby karst hot spots. The city of Rijeka and a visit to the Natural History Museum with its exhibition on the different types of karst is an important juncture. From there, you can either turn away from the sea towards the hills of the Liburian karst and the in situ interpretive heritage site i.e. polygon, or set your sights for the Island of Krk. The visit to the polygon on Platak Plateau can be boosted further with a visit to the newly established story of high karst in Brod na Kupi, explaining its vegetation, formation, and human intervention. Then, turn towards the sea shimmering in the distance and follow the trail to Punat on the Island of Krk. Visit the Stara torklja interpretation center to learn about the rich heritage of olive oil production on Krk. The exhibition vas will lead you among the olive trees and the stories olive oil producers who have spent centuries adapting to the inhospitable karst landscape to survive and squeeze the tasty, richly scented oil from the olives. This concludes your adventure; you have collected all the answers and earned the prize and Krasn'Krš Academy diploma that awaits you in the last center you visit! Congratulations!”