Project summary

Project title	A CULTURE HERITAGE-FRIENDLY TOURISM IN CROSS-BORDER REGION BULGARIA -MACEDONIA
Lead Partner (name/country)	Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kyustendil, Bulgaria
Partners	Fondation for development of SME, Kumanovo, Macedonia
Priority axis	Tourism
Specific objective	2.3 Promoting cooperation among regional actors in the area of sustainable tourism
Duration (in months)	15
Total budget (in €)	94368,6
Project Activities	A 1 Elaborating a cross-border strategy for a culture heritage-friendly tourism environment, responsible partner LP, location District of Kyustendil A 2 Creating of the communication plan for promotion the joint tourist interpretation and usage of culture heritage, responsible partner PP2, location North-east region A3 Information and discussion forum “Culture heritage-friendly tourism in the CB area – challenges and opportunities” in Macedonia, responsible partner PP2, location North-east region A4 Training session “Culture heritage-friendly activities in the tourist business” in Bulgaria, responsible partner LP, location District of Kyustendil A5 Get the local government involved in the tourism industry strengthening, responsible partner LP, location District of Kyustendil and North-east region - Recognition and commitment from the local governmental sector improving environment for development of culture heritage-friendly tourism in the CB will be achieved through face to face meetings. A6 Pilot culture heritage-friendly activities in the tourist business, responsible partner LP, location District of Kyustendil and North-east region - Bulgarian culture thematic evening in Macedonia and Macedonian culture thematic evening in Bulgaria will be organized. A7 Alternative tools for promotion and valorisation of cultural heritage in the target cross-border region, responsible partner PP2, location District of Kyustendil and North-east region - The TV video clips will create aimed to present the common culture heritage that the cross border region offers A8 Innovative tools for promotion and valorisation of cultural heritage in the target cross-border region, responsible partner LP, location District of Kyustendil and North-east region - The Virtual reality tours in 10 separate culture object in CBR/ will be developed. A9 Cross-border conference in Bulgaria, responsible partner LP, location District of Kyustendil
Project Results	1. Elaborated cross-border strategy for a heritage-friendly tourism environment;  2. Created communication plan for promotion the joint tourist interpretation and usage of culture heritage; 3. Organized 3 cross-border events focused on the development and potentials of the culture heritage-friendly tourism in the CB area; 4. Realized pilot culture heritage-friendly activities in the tourist business - organized 2 culture thematic evenings; 5. Developed alternative and innovation tools for promotion and valorisation of cultural heritage in the target cross-border region - 2 TV video clips and Virtual reality tours in 10 separate culture object in CBR.
Target Groups	Main target groups 1. SMEs working in or related to the tourism industry in the target cross-border region (hotels and restaurant, etc.); 2. Tourist agencies working the target cross-border region; 3. Organizations/institutions that are conducting their activities in relation to the tourism industry development and/or to the preservation and sustainable utilization of cultural heritage; 4. Local governments related to the tourism industry development.