Raising the competitiveness of regional tourism by supporting the development of rural and cultural tourism in the cross-border area of Bulgaria and Macedonia

Programme 2014 - 2020 Interreg IPA CBC Bulgaria - Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Date of latest update: 2024-03-09

Description

Description (EN):

The project aims to improve the competitiveness of the regional tourism by developing various integrated products and the implementation of networking activities and events to supporting the development of the rural and cultural tourism in the CB area. Other outcomes resulting from the implementation of the diverse work programme of the project include: - Developed various innovative and web-based tools to promote the cultural heritage and the sustainable tourism potential of the CB area; - Fostered experience and know-how exchange between tourism operators and stakeholders of the CB area of both countries for sustainable utilization and advertising of the non-material cultural heritage as well as the rural tourism potentials of the common border region; - Established a solid foundation (resources and information) to build upon when developing new tourism products promoting the sustainable utilization of the cultural heritage of the region; - Developed and promoted innovative tool to improve quality of the provided tourist offer in the CB region by enhancing the client / provider relations and improving the quality of the provided tourist service based on real client feedback; - Developed and promoted a single online resource of endangered of desolation authentic settlements, traditions and customs of the CB area; - Analyzed and promoted the material and non-material cultural heritage of the region in order to boost the tourism potential and attractiveness of the CB area.

Description (MK):

Проектот има за цел подобрување на конкурентноста на туризмот во регионот преку поддршка на различни иницијативи и развојот на интегрирани производи за развојот на селскиот и културниот туризам во трансгранчиния регион. Други резултати постигнати од спроведувањето на разновидната програма за работа на проектот се: - Изработени различни иновативни и веб-базирани алатки за промоција на културното наследство и одржливиот туристичкиот потенцијал во прекуграничниот регион; - Засилено искуство и размена на искуства помеѓу туристичките оператори и чинителите во прекуграничниот регион на двете земји за одржливо искористување и рекламирање на нематеријалното културно наследство, како и руралните туристички потенцијали на заедничкиот прекуграничен регион; - Создадена солидна основа (ресурси и информации) за надоградување при изработка на нови туристички производи за промовирање на одржливото користење на културното наследство на регионот; - Изработена и промовирана иновативна алатка за подобрување на квалитетот на обезбедената туристичка понуда во прекуграничниот регион преку подобрување на односите клиент/давател и подобрување на квалитетот на обезбедената туристичка услуга базирани на повратни информации од реален клиент; - Изработен и промовиран единствен онлајн ресурс за запуштените автентични населени места, традициите и обичаите на прекуграничниот регион;- Анализирано и промовирано материјалното и нематеријалното културно наследство во регионот, со цел да се зголеми потенцијалот на туризмот и атрактивноста на прекуграничниот регион.

Description (BG):

Целта на проекта е да се подобри конкурентоспособността на регионалния туризъм чрез разработване на различни интегрирани продукти и чрез изпълнението на дейностите по изграждане на мрежи и събития да се подкрепи развитието на селския и културен туризъм в трансграничния регион. Други резултати, произтичащи от прилагането на диверсифицирания план по проекта включват: - разработването на различни иновативни уеб-базирани инструменти за насърчаване на културното наследство и устойчивото развитие на туристическия потенциал на региона; - Придобития опит и знания„ноу-хау“ между туристическите оператори и заинтересовани страни от трансграничния регион за устойчиво използване и реклама на не-материалнито културно наследство, както и на туристическия потенциал на общата погранична област в селските райони; - Създадената солидна основа (ресурси и информация), за да доразвие при разработване на нови туристически продукти, които насърчават устойчивото използване на културното наследство на региона; - Разработване и насърчаване на новаторски метод за подобряване на качеството на предоставените туристически оферти в трансграничния регион чрез подобряване на отношенията между клиент / доставчик и подобряване на качеството на предоставената туристическа услуга въз основа на реално получената обратна връзка от клиента; - Разработването на единен онлайн ресурс на застрашените от обезлудяване селища, нс техните традиции и обичаи в зоната на пограничните региони; - Анализиране и насърчаване на не-материалното културно наследство на региона, за да се даде тласък на туристическия потенциал и привлекателността на района.

Achievements (EN):

The project implementation succeeded to had a positive impact on the development of the tourist product of the cross-border region. A set of new tools and activities were developed for promotion of the unique cultural heritage of the region through the creation of a catalogue of authentic settlements and traditions. The information were gathered and summarized as vast e-library and a printed catalogue of settlements (authentic architectural features, specific local traditions, lifestyle, unique local celebrations, customs, etc.). The catalogue was printed in 700 copies, promoted and disseminated during project events. Project partners presented an alternative presentation of this unique heritage by organizing a photo contests and traveling exhibitions. The Photo Contests in Macedonia and Bulgaria were implemented. Within the deadline, 51 participants and about 250 pictures sent their own pictures. Online voting was allowed on the project web site http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/photo-exhibition/ from 11 to 16 October 2017. Six best photographs were selected. For the purpose of the exhibition, both project partners organized the delivery / manufacture of tripods for placing the selected photos for the exhibition. Three exhibitions in Bulgaria - in Sandanski, Blagoevgrad and Bansko and three exhibitions in Macedonia - in Dojran, Strumica and Gevgelija were organized. The already created and existing tools for promotion of the cultural heritage of the region (such as the E-TOURISM web-portal available at: www.e-tourism-bg-mk.eu) was upgraded and further developed. Namely, an “E-TOURISM” web-portal (http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/) has been developed (ENG, BG and MK language) in an appealing design by using the advantages of the WEB 2.0 capabilities and functionality and it is available on all mobile devices and platforms (iOS, Android, Windows Phone). The web-portal has been constantly updated and fed up with all important information. The web-portal consists from the following sections: About project, Activities, Photo exhibition, E-Library, E-Learning, Tourist Product, Self-assessment tool, Multimedia and Downloads. Also, all prepared documents from the realized project activities were uploaded and are available to all visitors of the project's web-portal. Through web-based software for tourism services providers, an innovative instrument for improvement of their competitiveness and overall performance was created. New 8 (4 for MK; 4 for BG) joint thematic tourism products based on the authenticity of the local cultural heritage were developed with the aim to further boost the competitiveness of the regional tourism offer. Based on the established marketing strategy for the development of rural tourism and through networking and capacity building events the cooperation among participants in the field of sustainable tourism in the region was and will be further enhanced.

Website: http://www.ipa-cbc-007.eu/

Delivered Outputs (EN):

Indicator; Reached value; Comment Number of joint touristic products, services, brands, thematic routes;9.00;A total of 8 (eight) joint thematic rural and alternative tourism products were developed (4 in MK - by LP and 4 in BG by PP2) that highlighted and included authentic settlements and provided experience touching local traditions, customs and celebrations (A.10). LP: Four specific routes were agreed and developed, as follows: Route 1: Mokrino - Smolare - Barbarevo - Stinik; Route 2: Uma - Smrdliva voda - Kozuf - Sermenin; Route 3: Popchevo - Vodocha - Veljusa - Tribicino; Route 4: Dedino - Mantovo - Vlach huts - Konche; PP2: Four specific routes were agreed and developed as follows: Route 1: ROZHEN - LYUBOVISHTE - KASHINA - PIRIN village; Route 2: SIMITLI - SUSHICA - BRESTOVO - KOMATNISKI ROCKS; Route 3: MIKREVO - TSAPAREVO - GOREME - GORNA RIBNITSA; Route 4: KATUNTSI - GOLESHEVO - PARIL - TESHOVO. Each route provides information about the geographical location and distance from the starting point, sights, accommodation, cultural calendar and GPS mapping. The Routes were promoted and disseminated among target groups during the final project events. The Routes are also available on the E-tourism web portal. Translated contents in EN by the LP and PP2; Printed joint thematic products - 800 copies in MK and 800 copies in BG. This part of the output indicator is referred to the web-based software service for self-assessment of tourism service providers and tour operators which was developed (A.8). LP and PP2 together with tourism service providers in the region developed a concept for an online software solution/service to be used by tour operators and businesses providing services that allows clients of tourist services to assess and provide feedback on the usage of a certain tourist service. The software was promoted during project events (A.3, A.11, A.12). Number of actions, tools and initiatives developed and/or implemented for promotion of sustainable tourism potential of the eligible border area;5.00;(1) Photo contest and traveling exhibition “The desolated settlements and traditions of the Cross-border region of Bulgaria and Macedonia” was conducted (A.3); Within the deadline, 51 participants and about 250 pictures sent their own pictures. Online voting was allowed on the project web site http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/photo-exhibition/ from 11 to 16 October 2017. The six best photographs were selected. The both project partners have organized three exhibitions in Bulgaria - in Sandanski, Blagoevgrad and Bansko and three exhibitions in Macedonia - in Dojran, Strumica and Gevgelija. The beginning of the exhibitions in Bulgaria was launched in Sandanski at an official ceremony awarding the winners of the photo contest. The photos were displayed for three days from 01.12.2017 - 03.12.2017 in Hotel Sandanski. The next round of the exhibition was in Tourist information center in Blagoevgrad (05.12 - 07.12.2017). The pictures were displayed also in Bansko - Hotel Casa Karina from December 15th to 17th 2017. In Macedonia the schedule of the exhibitions was 1. Dojran (08 - 10 December), 2. Strumica (12 - 14 December) and 3. Gevgelija (15 - 17 December). The photos were exhibited during the Final cross-border forum in Sandanski. (2) Marketing Strategy for Development of Rural Tourism in the CB region of Bulgaria and Macedonia was prepared (A.5); Desk research of the existing strategies in the field of (rural) tourism on local/regional/national/trans-national level were performed; Two one-day workshops for 20 main stakeholders in rural tourism (10 from MK and 10 from BG) organized in Strumica; One one-day workshop for 20 main stakeholders in rural tourism (10 from MK and 10 from BG) organized in Sandanski; In total, three one-day workshops for preparation of the marketing strategy for rural tourism moderated/facilitated by the contractor; Final version of the Marketing strategy for development of rural tourism in the CB region of Bulgaria and Macedonia elaborated in MK language; Developed marketing strategy translated in BG language; Marketing strategy printed in 100 pcs. (50 MK/50 BG). (3) “E-TOURISM” web portal was developed - Re-design, optimization, adaptation, update and maintenance (A.6); “E-TOURISM” web-portal (http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/) has been developed in an appealing design by using the advantages of the WEB 2.0 capabilities and functionality and it is available on all mobile devices and platforms (iOS, Android, Windows Phone). The web-portal has been constantly updated and fed up with all important information. The web-portal consists from the following sections: About project, Activities, Photo exhibition, E-Library, E-Learning, Tourist Product, Self-assessment tool, Multimedia and Downloads. Also, all prepared documents from the realised project activities were uploaded and are available to all visitors of the project's web-portal. Further, the project partners worked together on translating all the content available on the web-portal into BG, EN and MK language. The web-portal is being updated after the completion of the project as part of the sustainability plan of both project partners to ensure the continuation of project results and support their possible multiplication. (4) Prepared / Produced and edited short movies for the unique cultural and historical heritage of the CB region (Sandanski and Strumitsa) (A.7); The following processes were completed: 1) Concept and plan for the production of the movies; 2) Working meetings between project partners and selected contractors; 3) Draft text and scrip for production of movies; 4) List of the locations (villages, Local Customs, Folklore, Culture, cultural heritage and tourism potential of the region) which are illustrated in the video (with video and text); 5) Finalized text and script for the movies; 6) Filming, directing and editing of the movies. The movies includes narration in native language and traditional music specific for this region. The duration of the short movie for promotion of the settlements in Strumica is 8.55 minutes and the duration of the short movie for promotion of the settlements in Sandanski is 7.49 minutes. The two movies were actively promoted during the travelling exhibitions in both countries, during the Final cross-border forum in Sandanski and final press-conferences in Strumitsa and Sandanski. Further, the two movies were presented on the web portal e-tourism-bg-mk.eu. (5) Luxury Catalogue “The moribund villages of the cross-border region” was prepared, designed and printed (A.9). As part of the project’s objectives to conserve and promote the cultural and historical heritage of the cross-border region, the both project partners and the contractors developed a concept, structure, content, design, pre-press and publish of a Luxury Catalogue “The moribund villages of the cross-border region”. The catalogue was printed in 700 copies, promoted and disseminated during project events. Translation of content into EN by PP2 and into MK by the LP.

Thematic information

Cultural heritage and arts Tourism

Specific Objective: Raising the competitiveness of the CBC region’s tourist offer

Thematic Priority: (d) Encouraging tourism and cultural and natural heritage

Partners (2)

Lead Partner: Здружение Центар за развој и промоција Промо Идеа - Струмица, Македонија

Address: str. Vasil Surchev No.19/9, 2400 Strumica, North Macedonia

Legal status: n/a

Website: http://www.promoidea.org.mk

Total budget: EUR 58 254.23

IPA2 budget: EUR 49 516.09

Сдружение "Съвремие"

Name: Сдружение "Съвремие"

Address: 5 Kiril i Metodij Str., 2800 Sandanski, Bulgaria

Legal status: n/a

Website: http://www.savremie.eu

Total budget: EUR 58 119.07

IPA2 budget: EUR 49 401.20

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Raising the competitiveness of regional tourism by supporting the development of rural and cultural tourism in the cross-border area of Bulgaria and Macedonia

Project name (MK):

Зголемување на конкурентноста на регионалниот туризам преку поддршка на развојот на руралниот и културниот туризам во прекуграничниот регион на Бугарија и Македонија (РУРАЛНА ПРЕРОДБА)

Project name (BG): Подобряване конкурентоспособността на туризма в региона чрез развитие на селския и културен туризъм в трансграничния регион на България и Македония

Project acronym: RURAL REVIVAL

Project start date: 2016-10-17

Project end date: 2018-01-17

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 116 373.30

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 98 917.29

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 98 917.29.

Documents

Documents on this project are listed below, and organised by category. Please note field "Data source", attached to each document. Keep.eu users are free to use these documents as long as they mention the data source and keep.eu.

Flyers

Маршутa Мокрино - Смоларе - Барбарево - Стиник / Route Mokrino - Smolare - Barbarevo - Stinik

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Flyer

Data source: http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/tourist-products/

Publication date: 2022-01-03

Document date: 2018-01-17

Languages: mk, en

Attachment file: Download

Маршутa Попчево - Водоча - Вељуса - Требичино / Route Popchevo - Vodocha - Veljusa - Trebichino

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Flyer

Data source: http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/tourist-products/

Publication date: 2022-01-03

Document date: 2018-01-17

Languages: mk, en

Attachment file: Download

Маршутa Ума - Смрдлива Вода - Кожуф - Серменин / Route Uma - Smrdliva Voda - Кozhuf - Sermenin

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Flyer

Data source: http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/tourist-products/

Publication date: 2022-01-03

Document date: 2018-01-17

Languages: mk, en

Attachment file: Download

Маршутa Дедино - Мантово - Влашки Колиби - Конче / Route Dedino - Mantovo - Vlach Huts - Konche

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Flyer

Data source: http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/tourist-products/

Publication date: 2022-01-03

Document date: 2018-01-17

Languages: mk, en

Attachment file: Download

Маршрут Катунци - Голешово - Парил – Тешово / Route Katuntsi - Goleshovo - Paril – Teshovo

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Flyer

Data source: http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/tourist-products/

Publication date: 2022-01-03

Document date: 2018-01-17

Languages: bg, en

Attachment file: Download

Маршрут Рожен – Любовище - Кашина - С.Пирин / Route Rozhen - Lyubovishte - Kashina - Pirin Village

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Flyer

Data source: http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/tourist-products/

Publication date: 2022-01-03

Document date: 2018-01-17

Languages: bg, en

Attachment file: Download

Маршрут Симитли - Сушица - Брестово - Коматинските Скали / Route Simitli - Sushitsa - Brestovo – Komatinski Rocks

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Flyer

Data source: http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/tourist-products/

Publication date: 2022-01-03

Document date: 2018-01-17

Languages: bg, en

Attachment file: Download

Маршрут Микрево - Цапарево - Гореме - Горна Рибница / Route Mikrevo - Tsaparevo - Goreme - Gorna Ribnitsa

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Flyer

Data source: http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/tourist-products/

Publication date: 2022-01-03

Document date: 2018-01-17

Languages: bg, en

Attachment file: Download

Videos / films

The Colors of the Strumica Valley Macedonia

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/multimedia/

Publication date: 2022-01-03

Document date: 2018-01-09

Languages: mk, en

Sandanski from the Antiquity to the Present Day Bulgaria

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/multimedia/

Publication date: 2022-01-03

Document date: 2018-01-08

Languages: bg, en

маркетингова стратегия за развитие на селския туризъм е

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/downloads/

Publication date: 2022-01-03

Document date: 2018-01-17

Languages: bg

Attachment file: Download

Catalogues

Каталог Изчезващите Села / Каталог Напуштени Села / Catalog Moribund Villages

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Catalogue

Data source: http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/downloads/

Publication date: 2022-01-03

Document date: 2018-01-17

Languages: bg, mk, en

Attachment file: Download

Brochures / magazines / manuals

Маркетинг Стратегија За Развој На Рурален Туризам Во Југоисточниот Регион На Македонија И Благоевградската Област Од Бугарија

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Brochure / magazine / manual

Data source: http://e-tourism-bg-mk.eu/downloads/

Publication date: 2022-01-03

Document date: 2018-01-17

Languages: mk

Attachment file: Download

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2014 - 2020 Interreg IPA CBC Bulgaria - Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2022-01-27

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

73 / 73 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

151 / 151 (100%)

Notes on the data

Information provided by the Programme. Field project name (from 3 projects) translated from Bulgarian into English using the European Commission's eTranslation machine translation service.

The projects which fields include an eTranslation English text are the ones with the following acronyms: Saving Inhabitants of One Mountain Along Two Rivers, SAVE US! and Digital Nature.

The financial data featured in keep.eu for this programme, it's projects and its partners is not exact and should be taken as a reference only.

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Raising the competitiveness of regional tourism by supporting the development of rural and cultural tourism in the cross-border area of Bulgaria and Macedonia

Description

Thematic information

Partners (2)

Partners map

Summary

Documents

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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