2.2. Increasing the cross-border tourism potential by developing common destinations

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Project summary:

The project aims at increasing the regional tourism potential by promotion of the cross-border heritage as a joint tourist destination with variety of possibilties for tourism.

Project activities include conducting specialized research on the existing potential, the situation of the tourism sector and the existing restrictions. The survey's results will be used to set up joint integrated tourism packages for the cross-border region and a long-term plan to stimulate and promote the initiatives in the tourism sector. The subsequent activities are aimed at popularization of the regional image and increasing awareness about the destinations in the region among touroperators and tourists. For this purpose it will be provided joint awareness campaigns, including  development and dissemination of promotional materials, delivery and installation of pavilions at tourist information centers in Burgas, Yambol, Haskovo, Edirne and Kirklareli, as well as online promotion of the region through social media and Internet.

The project envisages organization of three promotional tours with the participation of tour operators, stakeholders, journalists, photographers and bloggers to raise awareness about the opportunities for tourism in the cross-border region Bulgaria - Turkey as a tourist destination.
The project implementation will increase the level of joint and integrated approaches to sustaianable tourism development and will create a positive image of the cross-border region of Burgas-Yambol-Haskovo- Kirklareli-Edirne as an attractive tourist desitnation.

Project status: Finished

The project partners have implemented the activities according to the schedule.

The project assisted the increasing of the regional tourism potential by promotion of cross-border nature, culture and history as a joint tourist destination with variety of possibilities for tourism. The partnering organisations managed to successfully build a cooperation among different Bulgarian and Turkish stakeholders by signing a common Memorandum, development of joint tourist packages and guidebooks, joint action plan and capacity for development of common destination and tourism products, promotion of the regional image and effective marketing with common brand, logo and slogan of the destination. The project achieved improvement of the access to tourist information for CBC region by instalment of 5 kiosks in the 5 districts in the cross-border region. Increasing awareness about the destination by cresting Joint Integrated Tourist Packages /JITP/ and promoting them among tour-operators, opinion makers, tourists by organisation of common events – round tables, promotional tours, press releases and social media promotion.

A survey about existing tourism resources, products and services based on natural and cultural heritage in CBC region was conducted by joint expert team consisting of 5 experts (2 experts in Turkey and 3 experts in Bulgaria) in tourism, regional development, culture-historical heritage. Evaluation and analysis of existing information and resources and a report/analysis was the base for developing of 2 joint integrated tourist packages including the most attractive thematic itineraries - one targeting local tourism market (Bulgaria and Turkey) and another targeting international tourists mainly Asian markets. The tourist packages are year-round combining different tourist services: natural and cultural attractions, transport, accommodation, food and other related services. 2 tour-guide lecture handbooks were elaborated.

A Joint Action Plan /JAP/, brand, logo & slogan were elaborated for the cross-border destination.

It will contribute for the recognition of the cross-border region as an attractive tourist destination with variety of tourism opportunities.  JAP is based on real resources ensured from project and approved strategic documents (National tourism strategies of BG and TR, regional and municipal development plans, tourism programmes, etc.).

5 touch screen kiosks were delivered in Burgas, Yambol, Haskovo, Edirne and Kirklareli, as a simple and effective way of allowing visitors to navigate large quantities of information. Kiosks provides comprehensive information to tourists on their need for planning their travel and stay in their chosen destination for 2 integrated packages.

Promotional tour is one tested and reliable promotional method. 3 guided promotional tours (each for 15 participants, 3 days) were organised in order to generate more interest than any other forms of promotion. A guided promotional tour was organised for 15 tour operators (30% of them working with Asian markets), journalists, bloggers, photographers, travel writers in order to promote destination. They elaborate articles for advertising the cross-border destination and tourist packages and publish it in special tourist edition.

Project website:

www.jointtour.eu/

Social media presence of the project:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JOINT-TOUR-1929405403995576/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joint-tour-project-283191148/

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/jointtour/pins/

flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/153583966@N08/

MySpace: https://myspace.com/joint.tour/photos

Materials from the project:

The promotional materials (bag, banner, folder, magnet, pen, information board) are available HERE.

The Project Leaflet is available HERE.

Project products:

The Project logo is available HERE.

The Project Brochure is available HERE.

The Brand, logo & slogan of the cross-border destination Bulgaria-Turkey is available HERE.

Survey Evaluation of Local Stakeholders is available HERE.

The Tour-Guide Lecture Handbook "Tour Programme For Bulgarian and Turkish Local Tourists" is available HERE.

The Tour-Guide Lecture Handbook "Tour Programme For International/Asian Tourists" is available HERE.

The Joint Analyses “Tourism Potential of Burgas, Yambol, Haskovo, Kirklareli and Edirne Regions” is available HERE.

The Joint Integrated Tourist Packages for International Tourists, mainly Asian market are available HERE.

The Joint Integrated Tourist Packages for local tourism market (Bulgaria and Turkey) are available HERE.

Joint Action Plan of Bulgaria-Turkey Cross-Border Tourist Destination (Edirne – Kirklareli – Burgas – Yambol – Haskovo) is available HERE.

The Memorandum for Cooperation signed is available HERE.

Daily tours and 7 Daily tours were developed and are available at the following link: http://www.jointtour.eu/?page_id=528&lang=en.

Two promotional clips for Joint Integrated Tourist Packages were recorded and are available on the project website at the following link: http://www.jointtour.eu/?lang=en and on the YouTube Channel of the Programme at the following links: https://youtu.be/aTPlCp95XTw and https://youtu.be/rnCCIUcTxb4.

Partners

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Project summary:

The overall goal of the project is to create a new and sustainable environment for preservation, maintenance and useful use of general and specific cultural activities, crafts, good practices, as well as establishing cooperation for joint activities in the field of cultural heritage and revival of folk traditions. The specific goal of the project is to present the folk, historical and cultural traditions and ethnic diversity in order to provoke the young generation to continue preserving folk art.
The project activities include delivery of a traditional embroidery machine and purchase of new folk costumes and musical instruments for folk groups from Karnobat and Kirklareli, creation of an information center for joint cultural events, organization of concerts of folklore ensembles, organization of seminars on "Folklore - past and present "and visits of the target group for demonstration tours.

Project status: Finished

The project, named “From past to present the power of folklore”, aimed to increase the potential of cross-border tourism by promoting the cultural and heritage assets of both regions and raising the awareness of the people of both regions to protect and develop these assets and values.

The project focused on the preservation and promotion of authentic culture and traditions in the cross-border region. Various activities have been organized to encourage the younger generation to pursue the preservation of folk art. Mutual tourism excursions and activities contributed to regional tourism by discovering and promoting authentic culture in the cross-border region.

In order to achieve the objectives of the project, two seminars on folklore and folk art were held in both Karnobat and Kırklareli provinces – with these seminars, the traditions and ethnic diversity of the people of both countries were introduced in both Karnobat and Kırklareli provinces, and awareness of the preservation and development of these values by both communities was instilled. - Folk dance performances were organized by purchasing equipment and clothes for folk dances. In Bulgaria and Turkey, trips were organized to historical, cultural and touristic points in cross-border regions and the tourism potentials of the regions were introduced and developed. During the implementation of the project, the main target group of the project, especially the well-educated youth, was the citizens of both regions ,the target groups  was reached in the best way.

We have increased the tourist attractiveness of the regions by promoting the natural and cultural heritage in the cross-border region and emphasizing the importance of preserving them. We increased the visibility of the identity of the traditional and national cultures of Bulgaria and Turkey. We pioneered the establishment of lasting friendship relations among all participants. We introduced the attraction centers of both regions.

Thanks to the cooperation and coordination between the project partners and stakeholders, the project was successfully completed and the project goals were achieved.

All project materials and products can be found at the website of the project: https://www.apebg.eu

Partners

Bourgas Regional Tourism Association (BRTA)

Priority: 
2.1. Increasing the touristic attractiveness of the cross-border area through better utilisation of natural, cultural and historical heritage and related infrastructure
2.2. Increasing the cross-border tourism potential by developing common destinations
2.3. Increasing networking for development of sustainable tourism through cross-border cooperation initiatives

Thrace Nature Sports Specialty Club Association

Priority: 
1.1. Preventing and mitigating the consequences of natural and man-made disasters in the cross-border area
1.2. Improving the capacity for nature protection, sustainable use and management of common natural resources through cooperation initiatives in the cross-border area
2.1. Increasing the touristic attractiveness of the cross-border area through better utilisation of natural, cultural and historical heritage and related infrastructure
2.2. Increasing the cross-border tourism potential by developing common destinations
2.3. Increasing networking for development of sustainable tourism through cross-border cooperation initiatives

Edirne Culture and Tourism Directorate

Priority: 
2.1. Increasing the touristic attractiveness of the cross-border area through better utilisation of natural, cultural and historical heritage and related infrastructure
2.2. Increasing the cross-border tourism potential by developing common destinations
2.3. Increasing networking for development of sustainable tourism through cross-border cooperation initiatives

Union for Providing Services to Villages,Pinarhisar/KIRKLARELI

Priority: 
2.1. Increasing the touristic attractiveness of the cross-border area through better utilisation of natural, cultural and historical heritage and related infrastructure
2.2. Increasing the cross-border tourism potential by developing common destinations

BIONETWORK ASSOCIATION

Priority: 
2.2. Increasing the cross-border tourism potential by developing common destinations
2.3. Increasing networking for development of sustainable tourism through cross-border cooperation initiatives

Luleburgaz District National Education

Priority: 
1.1. Preventing and mitigating the consequences of natural and man-made disasters in the cross-border area
1.2. Improving the capacity for nature protection, sustainable use and management of common natural resources through cooperation initiatives in the cross-border area
2.1. Increasing the touristic attractiveness of the cross-border area through better utilisation of natural, cultural and historical heritage and related infrastructure
2.2. Increasing the cross-border tourism potential by developing common destinations
2.3. Increasing networking for development of sustainable tourism through cross-border cooperation initiatives
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Project summary:

Overall project objective is promotion of cultural heritage of the cross border region through development of joint tourism destination  Burgas – Edirne.

Project activities include elaboration of a study of the tourists’ demand and needs of information in the field of tourist services and products and research of good practices and tourist packages in the Cross –border region. In the two partnering countries “Ethno Happenings” will be organized. Project activities also include “Travelling Exhibitions” and organization of “Sustainable Tourism FAIR” in Burgas.  A multi-language platform “Cross-border Heritage Center” will be elaborated.

As a result of the project   a destination with significant tourism potential will be developed, aiming to overcome the economic diversification of the cross-border region through the use of innovative, advanced tools and techniques to reach new market segments.

Project status: Finished

The project partners have implemented the activities according to the schedule.

Tourism cooperation between Burgas city and Edirne is also inevitable in terms of two cities. This project actually came as a surprise as one of the opportunities that opened the door of this collaboration. Such projects are an invaluable source of resources and cooperation for non-governmental organizations on both sides of the border.

Project partners have used the project funds for 15 months in line with program principles, project objectives and activities. As project teams, we increased our knowledge and experience. As project outputs we invested in the tourist destination of the Edirne-Burgas region and we added a total of 30 tourist sites to the foreground, including unknown spots as well known from tourist destination points in the two regions. We included Kırklareli in the project as part of the program. We took great care to include Tourist service providers - business owners, eco-tour operators, cultural tour operators, travel agencies, public agencies and organizations, municipalities, NGOs, tourism department students, tourism offices, local producers and tourists.                      

We think that the results of our project will motivate the tourism of the region from the point of directing the 3rd country tourists come to Burgas and Edirne. Especially interesting and detailed information about the tourist sites, common destinations we have developed, web page, catalogs, maps and other products will continue to cooperate in the field of sustainable tourism.

Project website: www.bgtrdestinations.eu

Materials from the project:

The promotional materials (poster and information board) are available HERE.

The project leaflet is available HERE.

Project products:

The Tourist map is available HERE.

Study of the tourists demand and needs of information in the field of tourist services and products is available HERE.

The Research "Good practices and tourist packages in the Cross – border region” (in English, Bulgarian and Turkish language) is available HERE.

The Catalogue of 30 Tourist Sites is available HERE.

The Presentations from the events are available HERE.

Videos and 3D/360 degrees photos of cultural and historical sites in the cross-border region are available on the website of the project at the following link: http://www.bgtrdestinations.eu/web/index.php?r=experience%2Fculturals.

Partners

EDİRNE GENÇLİK VE EĞİTİM DERNEĞİ/EDİRNE YOUTH AND EDUCATİON ASSOCİATİON

Priority: 
1.1. Preventing and mitigating the consequences of natural and man-made disasters in the cross-border area
1.2. Improving the capacity for nature protection, sustainable use and management of common natural resources through cooperation initiatives in the cross-border area
2.1. Increasing the touristic attractiveness of the cross-border area through better utilisation of natural, cultural and historical heritage and related infrastructure
2.2. Increasing the cross-border tourism potential by developing common destinations
2.3. Increasing networking for development of sustainable tourism through cross-border cooperation initiatives

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