2.3. Increasing networking for development of sustainable tourism through cross-border cooperation initiatives

The overall goal of the project is to create conditions for sustainable development of the tourism network on both sides of the border and to conduct initiatives. The specific objective is to conduct cross-border cooperation and coordination initiatives that increase the sustainable development of cultural tourism and strengthen the potential of the cross-border network.
The project activities include: study of the condition of cultural and historical sites; development of a restoration project; networking and development of common tourist destinations; conducting a seminar "The role of museums in promoting and socializing cultural and historical sites in the cross-border region" in Haskovo; organizing 8 exhibitions with 3D models presented on the territory of Kirklareli and Haskovo districts; elaboration of a trilingual catalog of the cultural and historical sites in the region of Haskovo and Kirklareli; conducting 2 study trips; holding a two-day conference "Cultural Heritage, Basis for Good Neighborliness and Information Exchange"; construction of an information site; organization of mobile photo exhibitions "The shared cultural heritage of the cross-border region Haskovo - Kirklareli" on the territory of Haskovo and Kirklareli District.

Project status: Finished

The implementation of the project is a continuation of the good cooperation between the Regional Museum of History in Haskovo and the Kirklareli District Directorate of Culture and Tourism. Within its 15-month implementation, the main goal was achieved - strengthening the work in a network for the development of sustainable tourism.

The project focused on the application of new methods to draw the attention of adolescents to cultural heritage and its preservation. After a study of the state of cultural and historical sites in the cross-border area, 20 of them were included in а catalogue– “Stone Tales”, which combines print edition and mobile application with 3D visualization of the listed sites. The catalogue was printed in Bulgarian, Turkish and English and through the added augmented reality, the STONE TALES mobile application brings the print edition to life, and with its help, 3D images of objects can be viewed, digitally restored to the way they existed during their heyday.

There was organized a mobile exhibition “Stone tales” of the restored 3D models of the listed sites as well as a mobile photo-exhibition.

In order to strengthen the cooperation and to form new partnerships there were held  training study trips on Bulgarian and Turkish territory. They gave the opportunity to representatives of tour operators, journalists, hoteliers and restaurateurs to exchange experiences and to get acquainted with the cultural and historical sites on both sides of the border.

During the seminar “The Role of Museums for the Promotion and Socialization of Cultural and Historical Sites in the Cross-Border Region” the existing problems were identified, activities leading to their solution were discussed, as well as possible future joint activities between museums in the cross-border region.

The developed two three-day tourist destinations, which will be maintained by the members of the network, and the Sustainable Development Plan were presented at the conference “The cultural heritage as a basis for good neighbourhood relations and information exchange”, held in Kirklareli. An agreement on joint work of the  created cross-border partnership network was signed during the conference.

Project materials and products can be found at the website of the project: http://www.cultreasurehouse.eu/

Stone Tales App can be downloaded from http://cultreasurehouse.eu/app/ 

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CulturalTreasureHouse/ 

Sustainable development plan can be

The project aims at creating interest in the cultural and historical heritage of Bulgaria and Turkey through joint initiatives. A network will be established to revive and transform crafts and their products into tourist attractions.
Planned project activities varied and include questionnaires and analysis, elaboration of an information brochure named “The crafts and their products - historical heritage and tourist attraction in the cross-border region Bulgaria - Turkey”, trainings, exchange visits and event for networking and collaboration in the field of protection, development and promotion of public cultural and heritage in the field of crafts. The project envisages an organization of one international conference as well as creation of a web-site for finding more information on promoting and supporting the development of tourism trough crafts.
Providing funds for the maintenance and development of crafts will contribute to economic sustainability, social cohesion and the preservation of traditions in the cross-border region.

Project status: Finished

This project implemented an impact on large groups of people through initiatives for mutual learning and formation of a common interest towards the cultural heritage of the two nations, separated by the border, turning the crafts and their products into tourist attractions. The crafts and their products have been developing for many years on both sides of the border in various socio-economic conditions, and therefore they have a lot in common, but also they are very different and they offer uniqueness in products and services. This intrigued the citizens and tourists from both countries, as they see the crafts and their products form another point of view- as tourist attractions, as source of information, new knowledge for the nation that live on the other side of the border. Local crafts are important elements of culture, and people travel to see and experience other cultures, traditions and ways of living. Crafts products form an important element of the purchases made by tourists, providing an important economic input to the local economy. Tourism also supports the crafts development themselves, ensuring the continuation of crafts production and strengthing local cultures. This partnership between culture, local crafts and tourism has been recognised by the projecy as providing an important source of economic development and new sources of employment in the future. The project explored the common craft heritage and its specificity in the cross-border region by incorporating attractive, authentic and popular handicraft products and services in tourist destinations and joint events which led to cohesion and build respect between people on both sides of the border, towards their neighbors, t