Czech Republic
Introduction
The Green Garden Apartments were created in 2009 – 2010 by removing unused
greenhouses in a dilapidated horticulture farm in Mladá Vozice. On the resulting area, an
accommodation facility was built that inspires guests to a balanced and considerate
lifestyle. For example, it uses solar water heating, eco-friendly cleaning products and
offers direct contact with the green garden where guests can taste fresh fruit. The
apartments have created an informal gathering space for the local community. The project
allowed the accommodation provider to expand its services to include mediation
experiences. By being able to take guests around tourist attractions in the region, the
operator has created unique experience packages for different target groups, including
guests with limited mobility.
Presentation of the project
Apartments Zelená zahrada are located in southern Bohemia, in the village of Mladá
Vozice, where almost 3000 inhabitants live.
In 1991, the Dlouhy family bought a garden that had been lying fallow for several years.
After several unsuccessful efforts to revive it, the couple decided to find a new use for the
garden, and so the Green Garden Apartments project was born. The main philosophy of the
project is to actively connect guests with the region where the couple live and which they
love.
In order to successfully develop a business that would respond to current trends in tourism
and the demand of a more demanding clientele, the Dlouhys lacked a transporter. By
acquiring it, they are now able to expand their services by offering experience packages that
they design with knowledge of the local environment and customs in a way that a guest
would not be able to put together. For example, transporting guests to Mount Blaník, where
they return to their apartments on scooters after exploring Blaník. An integral part of the
services offered is also the transfer of guests from/to the airport, the delivery of meals and
the transfer of guests to more distant cities for cultural activities. This removes the worry of
providing guests with their own vehicle and helps the accommodation providers to fulfil
their philosophy of an eco-friendly lifestyle.
The aim of the project was to extend services beyond the accommodation in the form of
experience packages and other services for the guests of the apartments.
In order to strengthen the local identity of the Dlouhý couple, their services are offered by
local entities: food producers, other service providers (masseuses, hairdressers, sommeliers)
and others. In addition to the above, they respond to the demand of the local population and
provide social spaces in the apartments for the local community to meet, for which they
organise, for example, yoga classes, handicraft training and lectures on healthy lifestyles.
Emblematic character of the project
The philosophy of the Aparmány Green Garden project fulfils the LEADER strategy by
creating a unique business concept with an emphasis on local identity and the environment
in a location with high but untapped tourism potential. The project has a positive impact on
the local community and uses local products and services.
Pictures
Entrepreneur
LAG Krajina srdce, z.s.
Czech Republic
