The beauty of Strandja - to explore, discover and spread the natural and cultural heritage in Bulgaria-Turkey cross-border region

The project objective is to increase the tourism potential by exploring, discovering and promoting the natural and cultural heritage in the cross-border region with focus on Strandja Mountain.

The planned activities will take account of development of studies and analysis on potential tourist resources through organisation of round tables in the cities of Svilengrad, Bulgaria and Kirklareli, Turkey. Training workshops on the preservation, promotion and development of the natural and cultural heritage in the region will be conducted for students from Vocational High School of Agriculture and Economics "Hristo Botev", Svilengrad and Kirklareli Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School. On study visits in Strandja Mountain the natural resources in the CBC region, landmark, protected areas, flora and fauna will be explored.

As a result of the project a common three-lingual guide in Bulgarian, Turkish and English languages, proposing touristic destinations in the cross-border region with significant tourism potential will be issued. The project will also contribute to improve knowledge and skills of the students based on protection, evolution and promotion of natural and cultural heritage, as well as to create positive image of the region and to increase the tourist flow.

Project status: Finished

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

The project “The beauty of Strandja” presents the rich natural and cultural heritage in the cross-border region and promotes common destinations with various forms of tourism, collected in a 3-lingual guide.

The project implementation started with studies and analyses on the potential tourist resources covered by the District of Bourgas and the Province of Kirklareli. It was followed by training workshops for 64 students who were excited to learn more about the unique nature and biodiversity in Strandja, the local traditions and crafts, the tourist attractions and sites of historical and cultural significance.

During the organized study visits in September 2018, the young people enjoyed their tours at both sides of the border and were happy to create new friendships. The joint study visits in Strandja were attended by 20 students and 4 teachers, 5 days in Turkey and 5 days in Bulgaria. The groups were accompanied by interpreters and guides. The students collected information on tourism resources, made photos of the visited places and raised their awareness regarding the protection, promotion and development of the natural and cultural heritage in the cross-border region. Visits to the old villages in Strandja touched them to the past epochs and met them with the cultural lifestyle, typical customs

Bulgarian and Turkish experts prepared materials for elaboration of a tourist guide, recommending some destinations in Strandja-Black Sea region. The tour guide includes description of the tourism resources, maps and photos, printed on 300 pages.

The tourists are increasingly looking for relax places with clean and preserved nature. Besides the well-known resorts with developed mass tourism along the coast, the proposed routes include locations in the area of Strandja Natural Park, providing wonderful opportunities for recreation among the nature, away from the urban noise. They have the potential for tourism development but are not sufficiently popular, especially among the foreign tourists.

The tour guide was printed in 300 copies in Bulgarian, Turkish and English and was demonstrated during the organized round tables and seminar. The guide is available on the project web-site http://strandja-cbc.eu.  

The conducted round tables - one day in Svilengrad and one day in Kirklareli promoted the tourism potential in the cross-border area, especially the less explored region of Strandja, and the advantages of its location near the Black Sea. Approximately 50 persons participated in the round table in Turkey and app. 50 persons – in Bulgaria. The project was finalized with a close-off seminar in Harmanli attended by more than 80 persons. Promotional materials were distributed during the project events.

The project activities and products presenting the beauty of Strandja helped to increase the tourist flow, resp. tourist nights and the potential for tourism development of the cross-border region.

Project website:

http://strandja-cbc.eu

Social Media Presence

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/strandjacbc.bgtr.9

Project materials:

The promotional materials (banners, branded bags, notebooks, pens, folders, USBs, T-shirt, sport caps, DVDs) are available HERE.

Products from the project:

Study and analysis report on potential tourist resources covered by Strandzha region in Bulgaria, Bourgas district (English version) is available HERE.

Study and analysis report on potential tourist resources covered by Strandzha region in Bulgaria, Bourgas district (Bulgarian version) is available HERE.

Study and analyses report on potential tourism resources in Strandzha region in Turkey, province of Kirklareli (English version) is available HERE.

Study and analyses report on potential tourism resources in Strandzha region in Turkey, province of Kirklareli (Turkish version) is available HERE.

Tourist guide in Strandzha, district of Bourgas, province of Kirklareli (English version) is available HERE.

Tourist guide in Strandzha, district of Bourgas, province of Kirklareli (Bulgarian version) is available HERE.

Tourist guide in Strandzha, district of Bourgas, province of Kirklareli (Turkish version) is available HERE.

Presentation materials from the "Round table" held on 21 November 2018 in Kirklareli are available HERE.

Presentation materials from the "Round table", held on 26 November 2018 in Svilengrad are available HERE.

Presentation materials from the "Final Seminar", held on 27 November 2018 in Harmanli are available HERE.