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

AYÇİÇEĞİ GENÇLİK VE EĞİTİM DERNEĞİ

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 Nature Sports 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

Center for Jewish-Bulgarian Cooperation Alef

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
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Project summary:

The objective of the project is to increase the capacity for sustainable tourism development in the cross-border region of Bulgaria and Turkey through promotion of common destinations for gourmet and wine tourism and to use IT technologies to develop and promote the specific gourmet tourism as an alternative form of tourism.

The project activities include two studies of destinations for gourmet and wine tourism in regions of Haskovo, Burgas and Yambol, Bulgaria and Edirne and Kirklareli, Turkey and the examination of the markets for authentic food in the cross-border region as well. Bulgarian and Turkish recipes for dishes and beverages will be documented, and information on traditional feasts and fairs related to food and wine will be explored.

The research will cover hotels, restaurants, wine cellars, dairies, bakeries, farm markets, etc., and then a common database of 100 sites will be created. It is planned to be organized two culinary exhibitions, which will present Tourist Gourmet Guide and new tourist packages in Bulgaria and Turkey.

The implementation of the project will contribute to the sustainable development of tourism and increasing the tourist attractiveness of the region by developing and promoting common destinations for gourmet and wine tourism аmong the population in the cross-border region.

Project status: Finished

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

The overall project objective was to increase the cross-border cooperation capacity for sustainable tourism development through the promotion of traditional local wines and food via IT technologies.

Two studies of destinations for gourmet and wine tourism in Bulgaria (district Haskovo, Burgas and Yambol) and Turkey (provinces Edirne and Kirklareli) were carried out under the project. Their aim was to identify potential touristic sites at the cross-border regions such as hotels, huts, restaurants, wineries, dairy farms, bakeries, markets, farms, as well as traditional local meals and drinks, traditional fairs and festivals related to food and wine. Upon their conclusion, the entire information was systemized and summarized into a database, which was used for the creation of a trilingual Online Tourist Gourmet Guide – an online platform and a mobile app. Thus, any visitor of the cross-border region can find everything that he wants in one spot. The Guide also introduces some new tourist packages for gourmet tourism.   

The partners organized two one-day Culinary Exhibitions – one in Harmanli, Bulgaria and one in Edirne, Turkey. The guests at the Exhibitions were able to witness firsthand the preparation of some traditional meals as katmi and tava ciger and to try other traditionally produced ones. The atmosphere of the Exhibitions was extremely stimulating and it created positive attitudes towards alternative gourmet tourism.

After the creation and launching of the Online Tourist Gourmet Guide, the partners organized two press conference (one in TR and one in BG). They presented to the public the executed under the Project activities, the Interreg Programme as well as the innovative IT tools for promotion of the cross-border region as an attractive tourist destination for gourmet tourism.

Project website:

www.transgourme.eu - online platform Tourist Gourmet Guide

Materials from the project:

The promotional materials (banners, posters, shades, bag, hat and aprons) are available HERE.

Project logo is available HERE.

Project products:

Study of destinations for gourmet and wine tourism in Turkey (in Turkish and English), is available HERE.

Study of destinations for gourmet and wine tourism in Bulgaria (in Bulgarian and English) is available HERE.

Project presentation in Bulgarian language is available HERE.

Project presentation in English language is available HERE.

Mobile application Tourist Gourmet Guide is available for Android at the following link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.transgourme.transgourmetour&hl=en_US.

9 tourist routes for culinary and wine tourism in the cross-border region - in electronic format are available on the web platform (Section Tourist Routes) at the following links:

- Bulgarian version: www.transgourme.eu/bg/туристически-пакети/;

- English version: www.transgourme.eu/en/тourist-packages/;

- Turkish version: www.transgourme.eu/tr/тurist-paketleri.

10-minutes video reportage about the project is available at the following link in YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USEWmGGapf4&t=14s&list=PLwe1R4BMZjDsodEAMWnG6_lawYFnf4qtw&index=14

Partners

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Project summary:

The main objective of the project is to create competitive advantages for tourism in the cross-border region leading to long term sustainable growth and development of the tourism destination Edirne (Turkey) -Burgas (Bulgaria).

The specific objectives include creating transnational culinary itineraries related to the cultural traditions and gastronomy of the cross-border region; developing culinary tourism products (multi day tours) in order to enhance low and medium season tourism in rural cross-border area, improving transnational cooperation between rural areas of Bulgaria and Turkey in order to enhance competitiveness in the field of tourism and healthy food production. The envisaged activities are fieldwork and ethnographical study, analysis of the supply/ demand of rural tourism products in the border area of Turkey. Two Joint Capacity Building Trainings - for public sector representatives in Pomorie, Bulgaria and Tourism SME representatives in Keshan, Turkey and two Food Festivals - in Pomorie, Bulgaria and in Keshan, Turkey will be held.

The project will contribute to promotion of the agriculture and tourism in the cross-border area by popularizing specific local cuisine and culinary. On the other hand, the transnational cooperation between rural areas in Bulgaria and Turkey  will increase the competitiveness in tourism and production of healthy food products.

Project status: Finished

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

In 2017 the project Culinary Neighborhood Network was implemented with the financial support of the Interreg-IPA CBC Programme Bulgaria-Turkey. The main driving forces behind its realization were the Bulgarian  Association BIO NETWORK and the Turkish Tradesmen Chamber of Keshan Restaurants Cafes and Hotels. The two organisations managed to successfully build a united team that wanted to spread the word about their common and diverse traditions related to food, cooking and home recipes. Thus they wanted to attract more tourists in the cross-border region in the spring and autumn and to turn it into a well-known culinary destination. The approach was clear - the more visitors come, the more time they spend here and enjoy the food and the cultural and natural beauties of the area, the more opportunities for jobs and income for the local residents will be created.

For this one year the partners explored and widely promoted the enormous cultural potential and tourism offering of the region. The project began with research and analysis that have provided the information ground which the partners needed in order to provide relevant guidelines for sustainable tourism development to the local community and policy makers. This happened during the two joint trainings organized in Pomorie and Keshan. The events gathered more than 60 public sector and SMEs representatives and managed to raise their awareness on the benefits of using local intangible cultural heritage in developing all-season alternative tourism products in the border region. The two events brought the regional tourism stakeholders together and helped them establish useful business contacts and friendships. Thanks to the events restaurant owners arranged staff exchanges, chefs learned how to cook new recipes, food producers tried new tastes. During the trainings they all worked together and contributed actively in turning the region in unique tourism destination.

The culmination of the project – the two culinary festivals in October and November proved that the project approach was successful. The two events were widely covered and attracted hundreds of visitors outside the active tourism season. They came to taste traditional Bulgarian and Turkish dishes, prepared and served by culinary experts from both countries. Delicious dishes and recipes were demonstrated. Some of them can be found in the cook book, created by the partners with the support of the local community and young people from the region.

The two successful festivals proved that the project accomplished its mission – to raise the quality of life of the local residents. It has established permanent contacts, exchanged experience and improved cooperation in the tourism industry in the region. It promoted among the potential visitors the typical places where they can taste the wonderful food that is being prepared here, explore the landmarks and appreciate the culture.  Fragments of the most important moments of the project and in particular the culinary festivals in Pomorie and Keshan, as well as comments of experts and representatives of the local community were included in a subtitled film in Bulgarian and Turkish. The film was produced to spread the word about the project, the festivals and the remarkable dishes and culture the cross-border region carries and keeps through the ages and generations. It can be found on the following link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZadoL8JiD00&t=0s&index=12&list=PLwe1R4BMZjDsodEAMWnG6_lawYFnf4qtw.

Project website:

http://culin.eu/

Facebook page of the project:

www.facebook.com/culinaryneigborhood/

Materials from the project:

The Project leaflet is available HERE.

Project products:

Analysis of the supply/demand of rural tourism products in the border area (English version) are available HERE.

Analysis of the supply/demand of rural tourism products in the border area (Turkish version) are available HERE.

The Cook book "What do you put into it, dzhanym" is available HERE.

The Cross border culinary tourist map is available HERE.

The Cross-border culinary routes are available HERE.

The Cultural Calendar for 2018 (in Bulgarian language) is available HERE.

Fieldwork and ethnographical study is available HERE.

Video clip created under the project "Culinary neighborhood Кулинарен комшулук  Aşçılık komşuluğu [HD, 1280x720]" is available HERE.

Presentation from the press-conference held on 11 September in Pomorie is available HERE.

Partners

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Project summary:

The overall goal of the project is the development of Edirne and Yambol as a joint tourist destinations to attract more visitors to the cross-border area and increase the level of tourist revenue. The implementation of the project aims to create a long-term positive effect on the target groups and final beneficiaries in the cross-border region, to increase both the levels of employment and the levels of income that will be received from tourism. The development of tourism in the region in a planned and joint way, the increase of social awareness and educational activities on cultural values ​​and sustainability issues, will contribute to improving the quality of life in both cities and the people of the region. Increasing the tourist capacity of Edirne and Yambol will have a positive impact on the experiences of local and foreign tourists visiting the region. The use of mobile applications will facilitate the tourist activities of local and foreign tourists related to travel in the area. Tourist companies whose knowledge of sustainable tourism will increase with the training program, will analyze customer expectations and work according to their needs.
The project activities include preparation and conducting a promotional tour of travel agencies in BG and TR, training in Yambol, training in Edirne, organizing an event for cleaning and environmental protection.
As a result of the project implementation, a database for tourist and cultural sites in Edirne and Yambol will be created in a joint mobile application for tourist and cultural promotion of Edirne and Yambol. Four tours will be realized in both cities. Awareness of tourism companies for the development of sustainable tourism in Yambol and Edirne will be raised.

Project status: Completed

In order to achieve the project goal - creation of a joint tourist product, joint trainings and tours were carried out for representatives of tourist organizations from the cross-border region Edirne - Yambol. Selected cultural and natural sites, attractions and local customs are included in the mobile application "Tourist attractions and attractions in the cross-border region Bulgaria - Turkey", which will draw attention to the tourist potential of the region and facilitate local and foreign tourists in their travels. The application presents over 100 attractive places for tourism - museums, religious temples, rock churches, medieval fortresses, parks and natural areas, markets, festivals and more.

The Joint Mobile Guide BG-TR mobile application can be downloaded from Google Play.

Partners

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