Biodivervity in Bulgaria :: BD and tourism

In Bulgaria the concern for the preservation of natural and cultural heritage and the national customs and traditions from the one hand, and from the other- the aim to develop the local communities and tourism, resulted in the elaboration of “National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan”.

The definition upon which the ministries of environment and water; economy; and agriculture as the main initiators of Strategy elaboration, agreed states: “ecotourism is travel to relatively undamaged natural areas, aimed at providing visitors with opportunities to view and enjoy nature and all accompanying cultural attractions, while at the same time encouraging their preservation and allowing the lowest possible impact. Ecotourism is also a form of small and medium enterprise development, which ensures the social and economic vitality of the local population, and the just allocation of responsibilities and benefits. Ecotourism comprises important elements of nature protection, conservation education, interpretation of the natural and cultural heritage, and it complies with all forms of sustainable tourism.”

Ministry of Tourism

Ministry of Tourism
Effectiveness, transparency and benefits for business and society. These are the three main principles we follow in our work.

Our main priority is to create the necessary conditions for stable tourism growth in the Republic of Bulgaria and to carry out the country's tourism policy in a lawful and advisable way. We set goals that lead to a more competitive economy with a high value added and a better quality of life for the Bulgarian people.

The foundations of the country's tourism development are sustainable production, increased productivity and competitiveness, that is based on advanced technologies, innovation and modern industrial policies. We develop both traditional sectors and sectors with potential for future global growth in order to create sustainable industrial clusters. We create a less bureaucratic, investment-friendly environment, with simple and transparent procedures for business and effective management in the benefit of entrepreneurs.

National Strategy for sustainable development of tourism 2009-2013 and Action Plan 2009-2013

Strategy for Sustainable Development of Tourism in Bulgaria 2014 - 2030

See more:

“Guidelines for tourism partnerships and concessions for protected areas:
generating sustainable revenues for conservation and development”

Ecotourism in Bulgarian national parks

Bulgarian National Parks official websites. Pirin, Rila and Central Balkan are among the largest and most valuable protected areas in Europe. They contain some of Europe’s remaining, extant, wild regions. Identified as Category II protected areas by IUCN, the Parks are managed in accordance with the latest conservation principles and approaches. National Parks allow opportunities for recreation, spiritual enrichment and contact with nature. Tourists can choose from a wide variety of activities.

See also:

Ecotourism in Central Balkan NP

Ecotourism in Rila NP

Ecotorism in Pirin NP

Pan Parks Concept

PAN Parks is a protected area network of parks, which has been established to introduce a marriage between nature conservation and tourism on a European scale. Therefore one of the main aims of the net is to work towards improving the nature protection by sustainable tourism development. PAN Parks aims to provide a reliable trademark which guarantees nature protection and is recognised by all Europeans.

In Bulgaria, in 2003 Central Balkan National Park was awarded PAN Parks certificate, which means that the park covers the required principles, criteria and indicators set by PAN Parks for the territories of the network.

Rila National Park was awarded PAN Parks certificate in 2010.

Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism (BAAT)

The Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism (BAAT) was established on January 31, 1998 and is a national tourist non-governmental organization. At present BAAT has 58 members: non-governmental organizations and regional associations in the field of tourism, local tourist councils, tour operating companies, companies that produce traditional Bulgarian products, nature parks, hotel owners, guesthouses, editors, transportation providers, monasteries, and individuals. The Association is a member of the National Tourism council and the Council for training in tourism.

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