[size=55:bqf2hxs8]BNR

Bulgarian tourists tempted by unfamiliar tourist sites



The initiative of the ministry of economy, energy and tourism for popularization of unknown, but attractive tourist sites has ended. The idea for support of internal tourism in these times of crisis was upheld by a series of branch organizations and the Bulgarian media too. A list of the 50 most attractive, but unpopular tourist sites was compiled within the initiative, funded by the Regional Development Operational Programme. The list is about to be popularized within the next few months among Bulgarian tourists.
An active advertisement campaign took place within the Seek Bulgaria initiative with the idea Bulgarians to opt for this country for their holiday. Media representatives were called on to popularize less familiar tourist destinations that offer unforgettable experience among nature, along with an opportunity for acquaintance with the culture, traditions and folklore of the locals. The economy ministry organized for the purpose a series of journalist tours around Bulgaria that covered the “unfamiliar side of Bulgarian tourism”. The journalists and the enthusiasts that joined the initiative were given special tourist notebooks for registration and assessment of unknown parts of this country, visited by them. A total of 320 suggestions were made. An expert team chose, after careful selection, 50 attractive sites that the ministry would advertise. The Kapinovo Monastery, named “St. Nikola”, built near the Veselina River in the skirts of the beautiful Elena ridge of the Balkan Mountain, the green canyon of the Negovanka River near the town of Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval fortress of Cherven etc. – these are only some of the locations, included in the list. The antique town of Nove near Svishtov and the Thracian sanctuary of Beglik Тash near the sea town of Primorsko have also attracted the experts’ interest, along with the ethnographic village of Brashlian in the heart of the Strandzha Mountain, the healing spring near the Rhodopee village of Momchilovtsi, the Waterfall Canyon, situated nearby etc.





“Several types of specialized tourism can be combined, while travelling around Bulgaria – spa, rural, eco, wine, Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Ivo Marinov says. We want to popularize all these sites that offer that. Their turning into tourist attractions will contribute to raising the level of employment within local communities. Besides that a part of these 50 sites will be included into the multimedia catalogue of Bulgarian tourism that has to start on July 6.”



This multimedia catalogue will include a total of 400 sites across the country that will be presented in Bulgarian and 9 other languages /including Arabian and Hebrew/.

“We want to turn Bulgaria into a whole-year destination, Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traicho Traikov said. We think that the tourist treasures of this country are still hidden, but wait to be exhibited and appreciated. We want the popularization of these 50 sites to push tourism into more remote and unknown regions of Bulgaria.”

A national media contest took place within the Seek Bulgaria initiative. The journalists with most original materials were distinguished with special awards.