The partners of the CROSSDEST project held an in-person partner meeting and Steering Committee meeting in Lendava on 5 May 2026. The event was hosted by the Institute for Tourism and Development of Lendava and provided an opportunity to jointly review the current status of the project, assess the results achieved so far and coordinate the tasks planned for the remaining implementation period.

One of the main topics was the project timeline. Taking into account the remaining professional activities, training assessments and reporting obligations, the partners agreed on a six-month extension of the project. At the same time, they confirmed that implementation should continue according to the original work plan wherever possible.

The partners also reported on progress related to sustainable tourism certification. Activities linked to the Green Destinations system are continuing in Murska Sobota, Sárvár, Hévíz and Lendava. Most elements of the Slovenian training programme and workshops implemented by GoodPlace have already been completed. The participating tourism providers are now working independently on improving their sustainability processes and completing the required self-assessments.

Digital development and marketing activities were also discussed. Work continues on the project’s e-learning solutions and quality management system, while partners are promoting the pilot activities through local events and online campaigns. Pannon EGTC presented its plans to produce short videos introducing the project partners, their organisations and the main results achieved within CROSSDEST.

As part of the professional programme, participants visited the site of the Ice Pit investment in Lendava. The development is intended to enrich the town’s tourism offer and represents one of the project’s local investment components. During the visit, the partners also had an opportunity to discover some of Lendava’s cultural and tourism attractions.

The meeting also covered the preparation of partner reports, financial checks and the documentation required for the project extension. Partners agreed on the next administrative steps and the coordination needed to consolidate the revised activity and budget plans.

The in-person discussions played an important role in clarifying the remaining responsibilities and strengthening cooperation among the project partners. Direct exchanges and the site visit provided valuable practical insight and will support the successful completion of the project. The partners will continue working together to ensure that the results of CROSSDEST remain useful for tourism providers and destinations in the Slovenian–Hungarian border region beyond the project period.

Photos by CROSSDEST