2.1. Increasing the touristic attractiveness of the cross-border area through better utilisation of natural, cultural and historical heritage and related infrastructure

The overall goal of the project is to strengthen cross-border cooperation between the municipalities of Kaynardzha and Tsarevo in the field of sustainable tourism development in terms of cultural tourism by increasing their attractiveness through the use of cultural heritage sites, hiking trails in Kaynardzha, Byzantine Church and Watermill. and access to the late antique and medieval fortress in Ahtopol, Tsarevo Municipality.
The project activities include rehabilitation of cultural heritage sites in Kaynardzha - Byzantine church, water mill and footpaths near historic canals, in Tsarevo municipality - rehabilitation of access to the late antique and medieval fortress in Ahtopol. Three seminars and two press conferences will be organized in Kaynardzha, two working meetings and two press conferences in Tsarevo.
As a result of the project implementation, the socio-economic situation will be improved by extending the tourist season, increasing the number of tourists visiting the region and increasing their length of stay, increasing income from tourism and investment and creating employment opportunities.

Project status: Finished

The Project has ended on 01.04.2022.

Within the scope of the project, the important cultural and touristic areas in both regions and the construction works for transportation to these areas have been successfully completed. During the project, the local and regional people, as well as the stakeholders in the tourism sector, were informed about the activities through meetings and press conferences held in both regions, and the historical, cultural and touristic areas in the region were introduced and the attractiveness of these areas was increased. In this way, sustainable tourism was developed and promoted between the municipalities of Kaynarca and Tsarevo

The project partners focus on increasing the touristic attractiveness of the cross border area Pehlivankoy - Sredets through better utilization of the common natural and cultural resources and related infrastructure.
Within the project the access road leading from village of Goliamo Bukovo, Municipality of Sredets, to the healing spring in the “St. Zhivotopriemniy Iztochnik” monastery in Strandja/Yildiz Mountain will be reconstructed, as well a new walking path will be created. Under the project a joint Digital Atlas of the Mountain Springs in Strandja/Yildiz with related tourism facilities as a smart application will be developed.
As a result of the implementation of the project the accessibility to one natural and cultural touristic site in Strandja/Yildiz Mountain will be improved as well an infrastructure capacity for better utilization of the common cultural resources in Pehlivankoy and Sredets will be built for all eco tourists that prefer healthier and more active lifestyle.

The overall objective of the project is increasing the touristic attractiveness in the regions of Sredets Municipality and Vize Municipality through the effective utilization of the common cultural and historical heritage and the creation of relevant infrastructure for the development of creative tourism across border.
A joint creative tourism complex „The Thracians: Antiquity and Contemporaneity” near the Ancient Town Deultum will be created in Sredets Municipality. It will offer visitors direct participation in creative tourism practices – workshops, trainings, performances – in order to demonstrate the intangible Thracian heritage. In addition, an interactive tourist centre providing information on the common cultural and historical heritage and on shared creative routes will be set up. On the other hand, the access road to Ancient Thracian Town Bizya will be reconstructed and areas for creative tourism, which will present traditions, customs, crafts, etc., will be created in Municipality of Vize. Within the project, these areas will be used for conducting the Street Performance Festival.
As a result of the implementation of the project, the infrastructure conditions for development of integrated creative tourism across border and the visitor accessibility to common cultural and historical sites will be improved.

Project status: Finished

The project is innovative for both the Partners and the Cross-Border Cooperation Program Bulgaria - Turkey. The project model for the development of cultural / creative tourism is flexible, adaptable and easy to apply. Based on a broader partnership, project activities can be multiplied in a wider area. In addition, it can be reasonably expected that the model of creative tourism will be adopted by other municipalities and NGOs in new cross-border destinations. Multiplication can also be done in an informal way. Local communities are a major player in the presentation of the common intangible heritage and therefore share it using a face-to-face approach. The created joint integrated web platform - https://www.strandja-yildiz-digitalatlas.com will become part of the International Network for Creative Tourism (ICTN - http://www.creativetourismnetwork.org/). This will create a multiplier effect outside the CBC area and will improve the tourist image of the region. Thousands of visitors and international partners will be introduced to the project ideas. The results of the project can also be multiplied by creative tourism events organized by ICTN (conferences, workshops, meetings), which will increase reservations by international tourists. The idea of ​​the project has an extremely easy and useful application in any educational environment. In the form of games, children's workshops and projects, the concept of promoting a common cultural heritage can be spread carelessly among children.