Project title:

Integrated Tourism Offer

Reference No:

CB007.2.13.093

Priority Axis:

1. Sustainable Tourism

Specific Objective:

1.3 People-to-people networking

Lead Partner:

AzBuki, Nis, Republic of Serbia

Project Partner:

Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Bulgaria

Duration:

June, 10^th 2020 – September, 9^th 2021

Total amount of the project:

117,431.27 €

IPA funds:

99,816.57 €

Target groups:

The main target group of the project is the tourism workers, local governments and population in the cross – border area of Nisava, Pcinja Kyustendil and Pernik districts as well as the organizations related to the tourism economic sector.

Project goals:

The project has two main goals:

Cross-border impact of the project:

The cross-border impact of the “Integrated Tourist Offer” project is mostly reflected in the promotion of the tourist attractiveness of the cross-border area with an emphasis on improving the accessibility of the tourist offer and building a strong network and integration of cross-border tourist entities. The region affected by the project results will be better represented to a wider circle of potential visitors. The beauties of nature, together with the cultural and historical heritage in the target area, will be thoroughly researched and will become more accessible to visitors in several ways.

Virtual / electronic promotion and accessibility will be improved through a multimedia application and film, which will open access and unify the offer in the area through new integrated tourism offers, developed by entities on both sides of the cross-border region.

A positive impact will be given through the training of tourist entities in the field in which cooperation and ways of tourist promotion will be emphasized. The trainings will be one of the means to encourage further development and cooperation in the region, where tourist entities will get a chance to progress and improve their integrated tourist offer in tourist promotion on both sides of the border. The unique tourist offers created for the target area of ​​the districts of Nisava, Pcinja, Kyustendil and Pernik will attract tourists to visit and take advantage of the cross-border element at the same time.

Background and need for project initiative:

The tourist characteristics of the cross-border region require attention primarily due to their diversity and great potential for intensive tourist promotion and exploitation. Natural treasures are numerous and not only in geographical characteristics, but also in plants, wilderness and climate. The rich history and preserved tradition, along with the cuisine of the locals, are only a small part of the offer that exists in the area.

Myths and legends, festivals and local events still live on in local communities. Most of that treasure remained hidden due to lack of investment and very low living standards of the population on both sides. The activities of the project “Integrated tourist offer” support the network of tourist entities through trainings, and also make integrated offers more visible and accessible in every aspect.

The project will meet the needs for tourism promotion of the area, facilitate booking and access to information on the tourist offer in the selected area, and will also provide training for entities that need to start with new, integrated offers on both sides of the cross-border area.

The strategy aims at the tourism potential to be shared with visitors who will have easier access and more opportunities to explore the area. One of the important goals of the project is to make the cross-border area more attractive for tourists from remote places due to the fact that depopulation and low living standards of emigrants will be more encouraged to stay in the region and develop tourism and economy.

By increasing tourism revenues, local people will gain a stronger motivation to participate in the development of the region and its treasures. The route of tourists and visitors who regularly go to Sofia and Nis will also be enriched by the realization of the project and will bring more opportunities to interested people who want to extend their stay or take advantage of the offers that are organized. The project will put the cross-border region at the top of the tourist map of Serbia and Bulgaria – exactly where it deserves to be.