• Context
The Middle and Lower Danube region unites EU countries such as Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia, candidate countries such as Serbia, and countries that until now have had few links with Europe such as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. For the most part, tourism policy is defined on a national rather than a regional basis. This led to calls for the creation of a regional cooperation platform in the area of tourism. Known as the Danube Competence Center, this platform will help to establish a ‘Danube’ brand, create new jobs in the tourism sector and implement the EU Strategy for the Danube Region.
As part of the regional project to promote cross-border tourism in the Middle and Lower Danube region through the Danube Competence Center, the project aims, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), to support economic development and employment with a view to promoting more sustainable tourism in the Bulgarian Danube region.
• Objective
The basic conditions for the promotion of regional, cross-border tourism in the Bulgarian Danube region have improved. With this in mind, the ability of organisations which represent state and civil society interests at the regional and municipal levels (national networks or umbrella organisations) to participate in dialogue and lobbying activities has increased.
• Approach
The key element of the project approach is to establish a flexible structure for the promotion of tourism in the form of the Focal Point Destination Danube (FPDD). This consists of two units: the Focal Point Policy and Coordination Unit in Sofia and the Focal Point Service Unit in Ruse. In addition to its coordination activities, the unit in Sofia supports the monitoring and implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region as well as national tourism strategies. The Focal Point Service Unit in Ruse liaises with community and national park administrations as well as local tourism stakeholders on the implementation of tourism strategies for the entire Bulgarian Danube region. With the support of the project, FPDD also generates targeted impetus for autonomous change management with the aim of improving the international competitiveness of Bulgaria as a Danube destination.
• Results
New ideas have been generated for Bulgarian tourism products, with a focus on the Danube, drawing in some cases on good examples from other Danube towns and cities. Public discussions have been initiated on the establishment of a regional destination management organisation, or tourism marketing organisation, that is able to provide comprehensive destination management services.
As a result of the above-mentioned activities and participation in cross-border events, FPDD has raised its profile in the Bulgarian Danube region and significantly increased acceptance of its objectives. It is a respected contact both within the region and for government agencies in matters relating to Danube tourism.
Throughout the Bulgarian Danube region, FPDD partners are now looking to work together even more closely, including through the Danube Competence Center, with the aim of making the Bulgarian Danube region a successful tourist destination with an attractive portfolio of products.