Page 267 - Panjek, Aleksander, Jesper Larsson and Luca Mocarelli, eds. 2017. Integrated Peasant Economy in a Comparative Perspective: Alps, Scandinavia and Beyond. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 267
tourism as a source of non-agricultural rural income: the case of the karst
as for example Johann Gottfried Seume, a German writer, had trouble find-
ing one. Seume mentioned the guiding capabilities of his guides and the
retribuition of a few groschen given to them, but he was not more specific
about the exact amount of the retribution (Seume 1802, 69–71).
There can be no doubt that the guiding of cave-visitors represented a
source of income from non-agricultural activities to the peasants, but on
the other hand it is quite clear that the amount of such income was not reg-
istered in any way in the earliest period. With the regulation of the tourist
supply in the caves, like entrance, lighting, and guidance, fees for these ser-
vices were officially introduced.
3. Modern cave tourism – organisation of visit and guiding
Modern tourism is characterised by the appearance of a clear inter-relati-
on between demand and supply for tourist services on the market (Batti-
lani 2009). During the 19th century, in many European countries, tourism
had a growing impact on economies at both local and national levels. Va-
rious types of modern tourism, such as thermal (spa), seaside, or mounta-
in tourism appeared or were re-introduced already during the 17th and 18th
centuries, but we can only follow a more significant influence of tourism on
the economy of different European countries during the 19th century (Ka-
vrečič 2015a).
During the 19th century cave tourism gained in economic importance,
especially where a significant tourist infrastructure had been implement-
ed. The development of a higher level of organisation of tourist services has
also been carried out.2 Investments in tourist infrastructure were encour-
aged and intensified: accommodation infrastructure, leisure facilities and
the administration of caves. Cave Committees and Cave Sections of Al-
pine Societies were established in order to take care of the surroundings,
infrastructure (for example railway in the Postojna Cave), arrangements
of paths, lighting and guiding, etc. Tourist statistics were also introduced
(guestbook, tickets). The ownership structure of the land above and sur-
rounding the caves changed during the second half of the 19th century. Be-
fore the abolition of the feudal regime the areas of the caves (part of the
2 A structured organisation of education has been slowly introduced. In the Slovene
territory the first professional schools for education in tourism and hospitality were
opened after WWI in Ljubljana, Maribor and Celje (Marn 1939, 469). Before the
opening of professional schools, classes and courses in hospitality were organised by
the “Hospitality cooperative” (Gostilničarska zadruga) in 1909 (Andrejka 1926, 11).
265
as for example Johann Gottfried Seume, a German writer, had trouble find-
ing one. Seume mentioned the guiding capabilities of his guides and the
retribuition of a few groschen given to them, but he was not more specific
about the exact amount of the retribution (Seume 1802, 69–71).
There can be no doubt that the guiding of cave-visitors represented a
source of income from non-agricultural activities to the peasants, but on
the other hand it is quite clear that the amount of such income was not reg-
istered in any way in the earliest period. With the regulation of the tourist
supply in the caves, like entrance, lighting, and guidance, fees for these ser-
vices were officially introduced.
3. Modern cave tourism – organisation of visit and guiding
Modern tourism is characterised by the appearance of a clear inter-relati-
on between demand and supply for tourist services on the market (Batti-
lani 2009). During the 19th century, in many European countries, tourism
had a growing impact on economies at both local and national levels. Va-
rious types of modern tourism, such as thermal (spa), seaside, or mounta-
in tourism appeared or were re-introduced already during the 17th and 18th
centuries, but we can only follow a more significant influence of tourism on
the economy of different European countries during the 19th century (Ka-
vrečič 2015a).
During the 19th century cave tourism gained in economic importance,
especially where a significant tourist infrastructure had been implement-
ed. The development of a higher level of organisation of tourist services has
also been carried out.2 Investments in tourist infrastructure were encour-
aged and intensified: accommodation infrastructure, leisure facilities and
the administration of caves. Cave Committees and Cave Sections of Al-
pine Societies were established in order to take care of the surroundings,
infrastructure (for example railway in the Postojna Cave), arrangements
of paths, lighting and guiding, etc. Tourist statistics were also introduced
(guestbook, tickets). The ownership structure of the land above and sur-
rounding the caves changed during the second half of the 19th century. Be-
fore the abolition of the feudal regime the areas of the caves (part of the
2 A structured organisation of education has been slowly introduced. In the Slovene
territory the first professional schools for education in tourism and hospitality were
opened after WWI in Ljubljana, Maribor and Celje (Marn 1939, 469). Before the
opening of professional schools, classes and courses in hospitality were organised by
the “Hospitality cooperative” (Gostilničarska zadruga) in 1909 (Andrejka 1926, 11).
265
