The socio-economic transformation that has taken place in Hungary over the last two decades clearly demonstrated that in the villages and on the farms in the Homokhátság (Sand Ridge) region, if the families are engaged only in farming, i.e. in plant cultivation and animal breeding alone, they must expect their livelihood to become increasingly uncertain, it is more and more difficult to earn their livelihood. The fact that they live in the countryside, the existence on farms represents for these families not just the place where their income is being generated, it is much more than that: they are tied to this lifestyle, to that particular land, and to nature with emotional bonds. Many of them were forced by the economic circumstances to make changes; there were some who liquidated their farms, thereby preventing the accumulation of an ever increasing indebtedness; while others made the decision to "stand on more than one leg", and through their involvement in village- and farm tourism they extended the opportunities for the family to increase their income.

The Kiskun Rural Development Association, which has been founded jointly by ten municipalities, and has its headquarters in Kiskunfélegyháza, ever since the beginning of its operation has been attaching specific importance to the long-term stability of livelihood to be provided for the people in the region. The local governments of the Kiskunfélegyháza small-region - having witnessed the individual efforts made in order to develop village tourism in the region - took it upon themselves to promote the cause of village tourism in their small-region. It was in 2002 that the Association, on the basis of the principles of voluntary involvement and partnership, called all the interested individuals and enterprises together, for the first time gathered the stakeholders available in tourism services in the Kiskunfélegyháza small-region. The tangible outcome of this initiative was the publication of a register of the local tourism services on offer in the Kiskunfélegyháza small-region, with the aim to present and promote village tourism. Altogether 62 players in the field of village tourism, i.e. owners of private accommodation facilities, entrepreneurs, farmers, craftsmen and artists had the opportunity to present their activities, so that they could use one page each. Following the favourable feedback by the players in village tourism, in 2005 the Association published it again, and this time the size was extended; in the second edition of the publication presentations of 94 individuals and enterprises were included.

As an acknowledgement of the work and the achievements of the Kiskun Rural Development Association in the development of village tourism, in 2006 the Bács-Kiskun County Chamber of Agriculture invited our organisation to take part in the implementation of the Homokhátság (Sand Ridge) Target Programme 2006, a major programme financed by the Ministry of Local Governments and Regional Development. Our Association has undertaken to elaborate and prepare Project No.3. within Sub-Programme II, entitled "Facilitating the creation of a virtual organisational and service network, based on the services in village- and farm tourism", by applying and utilising the methodology and experiences gained through our work in the development of tourism in the Kiskunfélegyháza small-region over the previous years.

According to the agreement, it was the task of the Association to invite the players of village tourism active in the area of the Homokhátság, a region comprising the administrative areas of 100 local governments, in order to create a partnership with the aim to present the choice of tourist attractions and services on offer within the region on the internet in a unified and systematic arrangement. Our Association asked for and received help from every local government and every association of municipalities of the region, the managers of which organisations helped us in searching and identifying partners, contributed to the collection of data on tourist attractions and scenic locations, as well as helped compile a calendar of significant tourist events organised annually, on a regular basis. As an outcome of the joint efforts of the 10 small-regions of the Homokhátság, the Information Portal of Village Tourism in the Homokhátság Region has been established. On 16 October 2006, the day when the website was completed, the data of 178 private accommodation facilities, 53 farmers, 64 craftsmen, 304 tourist events and 189 tourist attractions were to be found, and are still available on the website.

Our aim with this website is to further strengthen the efforts of those committed to be actively involved in the development of village tourism in the Homokhátság region, by presenting information in a concise, and user-friendly way, and providing contact data of the owners of private accommodation facilities, as well as farmers and craftsmen who through their activities, products and services contribute to and widen the range of tourist attractions on offer.

This is the background, these are the thoughts that we wanted to highlight when we call your attention upon our tourist website created as the result of the regional co-operation generated by the staff of the Kiskun Rural Development Association, a co-operation that we consider as an excellent example to be followed when small-regions join forces to co-operate.

May we wish a pleasant holiday, both relaxing and rich in experiences, to all who - after having visited our website, on the basis of the information on what we can offer - come to visit the Homokhátság region.

József Ficsór
Chairman of Association