Responsible Green Destination Amazon of Europe is a project connecting 14 project partners from TBR MDD area, the largest and most preserved free-flowing river system in Central Europe with an aim to lay the foundations of sustainable tourism. 

Velika Polana, Slovenia – Project partners from Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube (TBR MDD) area from 12 protected areas and 5 countries along 3 rivers have joined forces in July 2020 in an EU-funded project called Responsible Green Destination Amazon of Europe. The network is connecting high-skilled individuals and capable organisations, forming enhanced enabling environment of a functioning transboundary destination Amazon of Europe, with the purpose of implementing a joint tourism development strategy, offering high-quality services to international visitors, and high added-value green jobs to the inhabitants in the degraded, mostly rural areas. 

The purpose of the Amazing Amazon of Europe project is to build upon the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail and upgrade the area into a truly responsible destination, by developing joint strategies, IT solutions and learning interactions at significantly broader destination level. Amazing Amazon of Europe (AoE) will bring sustainable development opportunities for managing diversity of natural and cultural heritage and resources from local to transnational level, while enabling unique experiences for international visitors.

AoE destination will be a joint and integrated solution for sustainable tourism, including Green Destination Tourism Impact Model, combining social and technological innovation, joint strategy and management model for the destination, joint flagship tourism products connecting top experiences along the rivers, model validation in 2 transnational pilot areas and training stakeholders for responsible green destination. 

Public Kick-off Conference
On the 18th of February, representatives of partners, regions and institutions met on the online Public Kick-off Conference which was opened by the CEO of lead partner Iskriva, institute for development of local potentials Urška Dolinar, who presented the Responsible Green Destination Amazon of Europe, with an acronym Amazing Amazon of Europe. 

During the conference 5 guest speakers presented most interesting attractions and experiences in TBR MDD area during Covid-19.
Dr. Wolfgang Weber from Geosys Wirtschafts- und Regionalentwicklungs Gmbh (Austria) presented good practices and statistics from different Regions of Styria with focus on Thermen- & Vulkanland Steiermark.
Helga Lukač from Development Center Murska Sobota (Slovenia) described EXPANO pavilion, Regional Promotion Center which is located near Sobota Lake and represents an investment into unleashing the tourism, economic, cultural, and sporting potentials of the Pomurje region. 
Miran Bojanić Morandini from Varaždin County Tourist Board (Croatia) presented innovative holiday homes with a story, which are a successful example of the development of continental tourism in Croatia.
Gábor Benovics from Helian NaTour Ltd. (Hungary) introduced good tourism practises in the Amazon of Europe area, being active and ecotourism, cycling and canoe tours. 
PhD Vladimir Marković from University of Apatin (Serbia) presented the Special Nature Reserve »Gornje Podunavlje« in Municipality of Apatin, which encompasses a number of meanders, stagnant tributaries and canals.