The region Bohemian Forest/Šumava was proclaimed “Landscape of the Year“ of 1999/2000. This is also where, in 2000, Naturefriends International organised the first “Tour d’horizon”, a pilot journey through the countries of the Landscape of the Year: Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic.

The aim of every Tour d’horizon is to enable its international participants to experience and learn about nature und culture of the Landscape of the Year as well as encounter people living in the region. That way, the guests gain an understanding of what matters to the Landscape of the Year.

In July 2016, 20 participants of this first Tour d’horizon spent another week in the region, sharing memories of their experiences and getting an idea about how the Landscape of the Year continues to have an effect on the region.

The developments in the tourism sector show that suggestions and demands of the Landscape of the Year – shortly after the opening of the eastern border – fell on fertile ground: cross-border tourism has grown, the region is much more accessible via public transport, there are cross-border transport offers, the network of cycling paths and hiking trails was expanded, information centres were extended, and all offers are now promoted in two languages. Naturefriends International mapped out a cross-border Natura Trail.

In Haidmühle, on the border of Bavaria and Bohemia, boards at the entrances to the village keep the memory of the Landscape of the Year alive. The commemorative stone placed by Naturefriends is a popular photo motif.