Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
saturation point is often being reached. Natural
and cultural resources also vary considerably.
Despite being a small country, Slovenia is
blessed with coast, mountains and lakes as well
as cultural cities. Poland, the Czech Republic
and Slovakia all have unique cultural and his-
toric towns and villages, as well as mountain
ranges suitable for skiing. Hungary has no
mountains, but one of the largest lakes in
Europe (Balaton). Different ethnic and folk cul-
tures are also present in all of the countries,
which are major assets for rural tourism devel-
opment. Similarly, spa tourism has a significant
history in the region and is once again being
developed and promoted.
It is clear that Central Europe has become
of considerable interest to international tourists.
Although the post-communist fascination is
perhaps wearing off, especially amongst repeat
visitors, much of the region is still relatively
under-visited and has great potential. EU acces-
sion has perhaps planted the idea in the minds
of visitors that Central European countries have
reached a certain level of economic and social
development, and that infrastructure and service
quality are improving. Budget airlines are offer-
ing new routes all the time, though it is worth
noting the considerable price differentials
between fares
to
Central Europe and fares
from
Central Europe. It is ironically much cheaper for
tourists travelling from Western countries, even
though incomes are still relatively much lower
in Central European countries. There are also
concerns that budget airline tourism is leading
to the attraction of less desirable visitors (e.g.
stag and hen parties), and multiplying visitor
numbers in cities with limited capacity (e.g.
Kraków, Prague).
directly take account of such external influences,
but it does potentially redress internal imbal-
ances of political and economic power and
influence. The social implications are perhaps
less easily discernible, but are no less important
for that. However, one of the biggest problems
of the EU project is that its aims and objectives
are rarely explained clearly enough to its citi-
zens, thus referenda on key issues (e.g. the
euro, the Constitution of Europe) tend to elicit
minimal or negative responses.
In terms of citizenship, it is clear that the EU
functions as a kind of constructivist actor,
encouraging 'belonging', but complementing
rather than replacing any sense of national alle-
giance. It is not only a legal or juridical body,
but an inherently cultural one. Jean Monnet's
notion that 'we have made Europe, now we
have to make Europeans' must adapt to ever-
changing political, economic and cultural frame-
works, some of the most recent being the fall of
Communism, the growing adoption of the euro,
the accession of ten new countries, and the
potential entry of several more. In addition,
many aspects of globalization (often perceived
as synonymous with 'Americanization' in more
protectionist countries) are sometimes seen as
being threatening to the protection of Europe's
cultural and linguistic heritage. As elsewhere,
Europeans are faced with the constant dialectic
of re-affirming distinctiveness in the face of
homogenization.
Citizenship is difficult to define, as it is
based on the creation or emergence of commu-
nities with geographical and psychological
attachment to place, culture and identity (all
intangible and nebulous concepts to a large
extent). There may be more attachment to
regions than nations (e.g. in the case of Catalonia,
the Basque country or Corsica). Many new
nation states have emerged in the post-
Communist era (e.g. the Czech Republic and
Slovakia, and former Soviet states), as well as
those in what was once Yugoslavia. Politicians
and citizens of these new states often have the
task of deciding how to redefine themselves,
their culture and heritage, and presenting a new
image to the outside world. This manifests itself
in tourism marketing, heritage interpretation
and cultural representation. It is sometimes diffi-
cult to know which aspects of culture should be
presented, especially in countries where political
Culture, Citizenship and Identity in
the New EU
It is sometimes difficult to define exactly what
'Europe' represents, especially with regards to
culture, citizenship and identity. Politically,
Europe's current borders are limited, but cul-
tural influences are pervasive, especially from
Turkey, North Africa and the Middle East, not
to mention the former colonies further afield.
The
extension
of
EU
boundaries
does
not
