Promotion and Development of Eco-Tourism Potential and Opportunities between Burgas Region and Kırklareli Province

The overall goal of the project is to develop joint eco-tourist destinations by promoting, developing and improving the eco-tourist potential of the cross-border region Burgas - Kirklareli. The specific objectives are to raise the awareness of the target group and stakeholders about the opportunities and capacity for development of eco-tourism in the cross-border region, to promote the promotion and marketing of eco-tourist destinations by organizing promotional events and related public activities, to support the development of eco-destinations with significant eco-potential in the cross-border region, to promote the economic diversification of the cross-border region through the use of innovative and modern platforms, tools and techniques to reach new market segments.
Project activities include:
- conducting a Cross-Border Workshop for eco-tourism and meetings between the tourism sector in Burgas district;
- creation of an interactive eco-tourism platform for promotion of cross-border cooperation between Burgas district and Kirklareli province and a mobile application for promotion of eco-tourism in the cross-border region;
- developing a strategy for sustainable development and promoting the potential of eco-tourism in both areas;
- production of videos for popularization of the eco-tourist potential in the region. organization of youth photo competitions and photo exhibition;
- holding information days to promote the eco-tourism potential in the cross-border region and a final conference.

Status of the project: completed

The project’s main objective was to develop joint eco-tourism destinations through promotion, development and improvement of the eco-tourism potential of the cross-border region Burgas – Kırklareli. The start of the project implementation coincided with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, which have strongly influenced the tourism sector throughout the world, including Bulgaria and Turkey. Nevertheless, the project succeeded in accomplishing its objectives. Through its promotional activities, including news announcements, web site and mobile application, photo contest, information days, photo exhibitions, and a final conference, the project effectively raised information awareness among the target group and stakeholders about the opportunities and capacity to develop eco-tourism in the cross-border region. Furthermore, it promoted ten eco-tourist destinations, which were identified by the project partner and promoted through the web platform, brochures and catalogues. Through the use of innovative and advanced platforms, tools and techniques project reached new market segments, and through the development of a Strategy for sustainable development and promotion of the eco-tourism in the cross-border region, it supported the economic diversification of the cross-border region.