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

The project objective is to increase the potential of cross-border tourism through developing and implementing strategies for sustainable tourism development in Kiyikoy, Turkey and Sozopol, Bulgaria.

The project envisages the elaboration of two technical projects of significant sites of the natural and cultural heritage in the both Black Sea cities: The one will be for the preservation and restoration of 29,276 square meters of streets in the old town of Kiyikoy will be developed to provide access to major tourist attractions such as the Old Lighthouse, the Fortress Walls and the Gates built during the Justinian I and the beautiful sea coast. The Bulgarian partner will be responsible for the continuation of the street "South panoramic alley" to cape "Skamni" and from the street "North panoramic alley" to the North Tower in the town of Sozopol.

The partners have defined measures to promote the importance of the project and raise awareness among the local population and producing also advertising materials and organizing information meetings with the media and tourist organizations.

The implementation of the project will improve the positioning of Sozopol and Kiyikoy as international tourist destinations in the cross-border region. The project will contribute to the development of so-called "New tourism" - protective, inclusive and beneficial.

Project status: Finished

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

The realization of the project proposal is of utmost importance both for the inhabitants of Sozopol and Kiyikoy Municipalities for the development of cultural tourism in the cross-border region and for all tourists and visitors. Under the project Municipality of Kiyikoy developed a technical design project for restoration of its small streets located inside of the archaeological reserve of Kiyikoy town. The activities in Bulgarian part of the project covered preparation of a project technical documentation entitled: "Development and exhibition of the Panorama Alley in Archaeological reserve "The Ancient City of Apolonia" - Sozopol ". Together project partners developed also a Joint strategy for development of sustainable tourism in Bourgas and Kirklareli Districts.

The implementation of the project "Conservation of the natural and cultural heritage - a common European objective" has very big importance for increasing promotion of the natural and cultural heritage in the cross-border region and put the basics for development of sustainable tourism in the CB region through development of restoration projects of streets of these two important historical cities.

Project materials:

The promotional materials are available HERE.

Project flyer is available HERE.

Project brochure is available HERE.

Products from the project:

Study about the cultural and historical monuments in Kiyikoy, Vize-Kirklareli Region (English version) is available HERE.

Study about the cultural and historical monuments in Kiyikoy, Vize-Kirklareli Region (Turkish version) is available HERE.

Study about the main cultural, historical and natural value of Kiyikoy and Kirklareli region (English version) is available HERE.

Strategy for Sustainable Development of Tourism in the Cross-border region of Burgas - Kirklareli is available HERE.

Technical project concerning the continuation of the street "South panoramic alley" to cape "Skamni" and from the street "North panoramic alley" to the North Tower in the town of Sozopol is avaiable HERE.

Technical architectural projects of the streets of ancient Kiyikoy Town - Architectural Reserve is available HERE.

The overall goal of the project is to develop joint eco-tourist destinations by promoting, developing and improving the eco-tourist potential of the cross-border region Burgas - Kirklareli. The specific objectives are to raise the awareness of the target group and stakeholders about the opportunities and capacity for development of eco-tourism in the cross-border region, to promote the promotion and marketing of eco-tourist destinations by organizing promotional events and related public activities, to support the development of eco-destinations with significant eco-potential in the cross-border region, to promote the economic diversification of the cross-border region through the use of innovative and modern platforms, tools and techniques to reach new market segments.
Project activities include:
- conducting a Cross-Border Workshop for eco-tourism and meetings between the tourism sector in Burgas district;
- creation of an interactive eco-tourism platform for promotion of cross-border cooperation between Burgas district and Kirklareli province and a mobile application for promotion of eco-tourism in the cross-border region;
- developing a strategy for sustainable development and promoting the potential of eco-tourism in both areas;
- production of videos for popularization of the eco-tourist potential in the region. organization of youth photo competitions and photo exhibition;
- holding information days to promote the eco-tourism potential in the cross-border region and a final conference.

Status of the project: completed

The project’s main objective was to develop joint eco-tourism destinations through promotion, development and improvement of the eco-tourism potential of the cross-border region Burgas – Kırklareli. The start of the project implementation coincided with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, which have strongly influenced the tourism sector throughout the world, including Bulgaria and Turkey. Nevertheless, the project succeeded in accomplishing its objectives. Through its promotional activities, including news announcements, web site and mobile application, photo contest, information days, photo exhibitions, and a final conference, the project effectively raised information awareness among the target group and stakeholders about the opportunities and capacity to develop eco-tourism in the cross-border region. Furthermore, it promoted ten eco-tourist destinations, which were identified by the project partner and promoted through the web platform, brochures and catalogues. Through the use of innovative and advanced platforms, tools and techniques project reached new market segments, and through the development of a Strategy for sustainable development and promotion of the eco-tourism in the cross-border region, it supported the economic diversification of the cross-border region.