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

The project aims to increase the tourist attractiveness of the cross-border region of Ivaylovgrad and Keshan by better utilization of natural, cultural and historical heritage and adjacent infrastructure, as well as tourism potential in the municipalities, development of cooperation in the field of tourism on both sides. border, increase the tourist flow, income, employment level, etc., which will lead to the growth of local economies and improve the quality of life. Achieving all the goals will create added value and synergies in the sector not only for the participating countries and regions, but also on a larger scale. They will also lead to improved economic links, communication channels and increased additional tourist services. In conclusion, the generation of cultural, social and economic exchange in the cross-border region will contribute to the wider dissemination of results and the multiplier effect, as well as to the sustainability of the project.
The project activities include the development of a tourist complex in the village of Lambuh, Ivaylovgrad municipality - reconstruction of an access road, two pedestrian paths, recreation and observation areas, ramps for people with disabilities and the development of an information center. In the municipality of Keshan - development of Adventure Park and construction and equipment of an information center. To achieve the goals of the project a joint program for tourism development will be developed, for the promotion of which will be organized: joint information campaign - round table in Ivaylovgrad, two promotional tours of the new tourist sites in both municipalities and two press conferences.
As a result of the project the access to the tourist sites in the village of Lambuh (Ivaylovgrad) will be improved - reconstruction of the access road and two pedestrian paths in the ecotourism complex located in the village, the access of people with disabilities will be improved by building ramps. An adventure park will be built in the municipality of Keshan, and one information center will be built in each of the municipalities.

The project aims is to create an information system that will significantly increase the tourist activity and the overall exchange of people which will lead to the improvement of the quality of life in the areas of Edirne and Haskovo. The overall objective is to develop contemporary tourist attractive services in the public cultural sector by using the modern technology.
Project activities will provide opportunities for new joint efforts in preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in the two regions. The major activities are  Joint Project Steering (JPS) meetings for development of mechanisms for CB support and sharing good practices, Joint Expert Network (JEN) meetings to establish a network for sharing know-how of cultural heritage potential and sustainable tourism Augmented Reality for traditional costumes to develop contemporary tourist attractive services in the public cultural sector; Development of joint GIS platforms - the historical heritage in the cross-border region will be promotion in an innovative way, elaboration of one brochure “CULT TOUR” and one  Catalogues "Culture Heritage" for marketing of sustainable and diverse, specific tourism products with high added value and increasing the sector's contribution for sustainable regional development. Additionally are envisaged the events "Тraditions and continuity" and "Moma Vs. Kokona" to promote the historical heritage in CB region. Six Promotional events "Ancient and eternal" will be held to involve local communities in the processes of developed contemporary tourist attractive services in public cultural sector using the ICT and e-Tourism and promote the historical heritage in the region as a whole.
The implementation of the activities will increase the touristic attractiveness of the CB area through better utilisation of natural, cultural and historical heritage and related infrastructure. The project will improve the exchange of information among people and the quality of life in the two regions. As a result of the installed "cloud" GIS platform, an integrated database of cultural resources will be achieved through the implementation of modern interactive information technologies and the creation of web-based applications for promotion of the cultural and historical monuments on the territory of the two regions. The development of a geographical information system for tourist attractions aims to achieve the optimal and efficient use of the tourist potential of the CB region. The project has the innovative idea to provide conditions for development of tourism, as well as to promote culture and traditions.

Project status: Finished

The project has ended on 25.02.2022.

The project addressed the awareness of cultural, historical and natural heritage on the Bulgarian and Turkish border of Thrace, both traditional and digital methods. The project aimed to increase the popularity of lesser-known areas in both regions and to promote tourist resources in these areas through the use of various digital forms.

Experts from both countries, through their Workshops, learnt about the known, little known and unknown places, works, events, lifestyles, stories, clothes, stone, soil, water, forest, traditions, urban arts, rural attractions and unknown legends in their region, they commented. Experts have discovered the spirit of the past, sometimes in a church garden, sometimes in a mosque garden, by a historical fountain or in a museum garden, and with local costumes and ancient dances, they have turned them into a colorful delight as the senses of the people and a kind of tourist attraction in the region. Finally, 88 attraction points identified by the experts were introduced with events at 4 different points in Keşan, Enez, Edirne in Turkey, Mineralni Bani and Haskovo in Bulgaria. In order to explain the attraction points of both regions, it was conveyed to tourism professionals with excursions. These 88 lesser-known points of Bulgaria and Turkey were transferred to a smart map and transformed into a digital regional guide application, and the promotion opportunities of the technology in the field of informatics were applied. They are made accessible, navigable and visible with a single click from anywhere in the world... http://cross-thrace.production.cmosteknoloji.com

Cloud GIS based Information system of the cultural and historical attractions in Haskovo/Edirne region in three languages: https://rimhaskovo.tobel.bg/#map=9/2883756/5129916.5/0

Links to project BROADCASTINGS IN TV AND LOCAL RADIO:

SELIMIYE MOSQUE - ANCIENT AND ETERNAL in Edirne, Turkey - Broadcasting-1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxZL4ujSqFI&t=4s & Broadcasting-2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q4bkX7grJY&t=3s

UC SEREFELI MOSQUE - ANCIENT AND ETERNAL in Edirne, Turkey - Broadcasting-1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9omsbFCIYw&t=7s & Broadcasting-2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9ASJ2rq4CA&t=3s

Hersekzade Ahmet Paşa Mosque ANCIENT AND ETERNAL in Edirne, Turkey  - Broadcasting-1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKa3G0Cx3AU & Broadcasting-2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMbe3vDkuIo

“ENEZ - ANCIENT AND ETERNAL in Edirne, Turkey - Broadcasting-1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEmoKXJdhwI & Broadcasting-2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nTOZAzNjeM

"Tradions and continuity” - Broadcasting-1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brVJ9Q85r

Prоject overall objective is to increase the tourist attractiveness of Buyukkiristiran and Topolovgrad cross-border area through better utilization of cultural heritage and related infrastructure and infrastructure related to culture tourism.
The main project activities are overhaul of the building of Community Centre “Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodiy - 1894” - Topolovgrad” where are organized national and international events of the cultural calendar of Topolovgrad and repair and equipment of multi-purpose hall in Culture and Art Center and scene for events in Buyukkiristiran. Additional activities are project management, information and publicity, supervision of the construction works and official openings of the sites of intervention.
The project implementation will improve the infrastructure related to culture tourism in Buyukkiristiran and Topolovgrad cross-border area, the cultural heritage of the cross-border region of both neighbouring countries will be popularized, the touristic attractiveness of the area will be increased, sustainable tourism which will ensure good business climate, employment, less poverty, less migration and depopulation will be developed.

Project status: Finished

Results from the implemented activities are the two reconstructed / restored cultural and historical touristic sites in the cross-border area of the two countries. The existing building of Community Centre “Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodiy 1894” – Topolovgrad was generally restored and in Culture and Art Center in Buyukkaristiran has been done repair and equipment for its multifunctional hall has been delivered.

Both investments allow partners to be able to present their intangible cultural heritage in a more attractive way which is of great advantage for the cross-border area and its cultural heritage.

Website of the project: http://bgtr-culture-centers.com/