2.2. Increasing the cross-border tourism potential by developing common destinations
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| Project summary: | The main objective of the project is to support the promotion and development of tourism products by the crafts and antique business in the cross-border region between Haskovo and Edirne as a means of enhancing the tourist potential, for sustainable development and promotion of the cultural diversity and the historical heritage of the region. Project status: Completed The main objective of project CrossTour was to support the promotion and development of tourist-cantered products by the crafts and antique business in the cross-border region between Bulgaria and Turkey as means of enhancing the local tourist potential, for sustainable development and promotion of the cultural diversity and the historical heritage of the region. Based on common challenges in both countries, the project activities were designed in 3 main directions: 1) to conduct a study of good practices in the crafts and antique markets and undertake a needs analysis of the craftsmen/antique businesses on both sides of the border, 2) to provide specific trainings to representatives of the project’s target groups (craftsmen and antique shop owners) in order to improve their capacity to develop sustainable businesses, and 3) to promote the products and services of the local craftsmen and artisans. The Study of the good practices was conducted in parallel in Bulgaria and Turkey by applying a common methodology, aiming to identify and present applicable and verified ideas on how to successfully integrate crafts and antique markets in the regional and local tourism offer. Based on this, a large number of practices from the EU, Bulgaria and Turkey were presented in the respective reports. Additionally, a survey on the specific training needs of the project’s target groups was conducted. The results showed clearly that the local stakeholders both in Bulgaria and in Turkey need to significantly improve their knowledge on the different aspects of making a successful business. The Training of craftsmen and artisans from Bulgaria and Turkey was designed according to the analysis of training needs. Each project partner conducted a 5-day training (16 participants in Bulgaria and 15 in Turkey) applying a specialised methodology for the training of adults. Highly-qualified trainers with proven practical experience were engaged in the delivery of the different modules that covered various topics, such as marketing, sales, advertising and public relations, legal aspects of the business, protection of intellectual property rights, etc. After the completion of the training, all participants shared their positive feedback on the contents of the materials as well as on their presentation, confirming once again the necessity of implementing such activities in the future. In September 2020, each partner conducted, respectively in Haskovo and Edirne a 2-day Crafts Fair, aimed at promoting the local craftsmen and their work to the wider public. 20 craftsmen from Bulgaria and 20 from Turkey presented their products and services, talent and workmanship to a large number of visitors, both locals and tourists from the country and abroad. Both events were largely publicised in the local media before, during and after their implementation. Professional videos and high-quality photos were produced as a means of future promotional material for enhancing the popularity of local crafts. At the final stage of the project, in October 2020, two Conferences on the future of crafts and antique business in the CBC region were organised – one in Haskovo and one in Edirne. Highly-qualified speakers were engaged to present key topics related to both sectors. District and municipal representatives, local businesses, museums, business support organizations and others took part in the events, where they had the opportunity to interact and discuss different issues with the representatives of the project’s target groups. As a result of the implementation of CrossTour project, the two partners established effective cooperation that secured smooth management of the project implementation since its very begging. This was the basis for the successful and timely completion of the activities. All project outputs were largely promoted in the local media, amongst the target groups and other local stakeholders. Finally, new ideas for common actions and future projects are already under discussion between the two partnering organisations. |
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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. 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: 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. |
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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. 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 |
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