THE MOUNTAIN Rescue Service ended its Virtual Visitors' Book service on June 3, the SITA newswire wrote.
"Even though the costs were not very high, we have had only one or two reports a month recently," the head of the Mountain Rescue Service (HZS) Jozef Janiga said, explaining the decision.
The project began only a year ago. The low level of usage is the main reason the service is being cancelled, Janiga added. The virtual Visitors' Book will continue to operate for a month or two, in order for users to be informed that the service is ending. After this deadline, it will withdraw it.
"If there is a lot of pressure for its renewal, we can arrange that," Janiga said.
The virtual visitors' book was intended as an alternative to the traditional books for hikers and walkers into which every visitor to the mountains should enter his or her plans. Tourists were able to report their destination and the expected time of their return by SMS. Having returned, the hiker could then report that he or she had made it back safely. The service was free of charge to tourists.
Before leaving for a hike in a mountain region, tourists must still leave an entry in the book of hikes which every accommodation facility is required to keep. They should also inform a friend or relative of their destination and when they expect to return.
