Author: Anda-Oana Veza - WTb20

Full of euphoria and enthusiasm, we, the Wtb20, were finally able to start the original introductory excursion after a seven-month delay and countless postponements.

As usual for the tourism course at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, we also went to the Lausitz Lake District - in the summer temperatures, we were lucky to have excellent air conditioning in the bus! It was also a premiere for our bus driver and the bus provider: after a seven-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic, we were finally able to travel freely again!

But why is the Lausitz Lake District relevant for us tourism professionals?

It is a tourist destination in transition, a process that you don't experience every day. What used to be an open-cast mining region is now a water paradise.

We were able to gain the best insights and impressions of the region with the help of our guide from IBA-aktiv tours. Mr. Hoika, who grew up in the area, worked in open-cast mining and is currently involved in the development and marketing of the region, was a great asset to our excursion.

The trip began in the morning with a short stopover on the way in Bad-Muskau, where we took a quick tour of the German-Polish UNESCO cultural heritage site, Muskauer Park, and then drove to Großräschen, where our actual tour began.

Mr. Hoika told us about the previous transformations of the region, the lakes that have already been created and the attractions that the destination offers. Such as the 300km network of cycle paths without roads, wine tours with Lausitz wines and wine tastings at various locations, as well as numerous other offers.

We were also given an insight into the active open-cast mine near Welzow, which is expected to remain in operation until 2038. German politicians have made preparations to phase out coal in the country by 2038 at the latest, by which time the lights will also have gone out in the Lausitz open-cast mine.

From the bus, we were able to admire the diversity of the lakes: Lake Partwitz, Lake Geierswald, Lake Scheibe and many more. In total, a lake landscape with a water surface area of 126 km² is to be created in the region.

After a lunch break at the Rostiger Nagel and a climb up the landmark, from which we got an overview of the lakes from above, we drove to our last stop: Lake Senftenberg, with its town harbour, surfing beach, wellness facilities, hotels and restaurants, is proof that tourism is in demand in the Lausitz Lake District. We are looking forward to the further development of the destination!