Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Tourist Information Center Tutrakan
Municipality of Tutrakan
Background
All through its nineteen-century history, Tutrakan has always belonged to the Big Old River. Within its territory, in the old times a fishing village with a unique atmosphere was established. The Fishing Neighborhood has preserved its authentic revival spirit and originality. Every person visiting the exposition of the ethnographical museum Danube fishing and boat building , the only one of its kind, has the chance to feel the spirit of the Bulgarian revival. All these historical treasures have not been publicized on the tourist market; therefore Tutrakan has not been proved an attractive tourist center, although it has the potential of being one. The members of the Tourist Municipality Association united their efforts to create a Tourist Information Center, which would implement the information and publicity policy in the area of tourism in the municipality.
All through its nineteen-century history, Tutrakan has always belonged to the Big Old River. Within its territory, in the old times a fishing village with a unique atmosphere was established. The Fishing Neighborhood has preserved its authentic revival spirit and originality. Every person visiting the exposition of the ethnographical museum Danube fishing and boat building , the only one of its kind, has the chance to feel the spirit of the Bulgarian revival. All these historical treasures have not been publicized on the tourist market; therefore Tutrakan has not been proved an attractive tourist center, although it has the potential of being one. The members of the Tourist Municipality Association united their efforts to create a Tourist Information Center, which would implement the information and publicity policy in the area of tourism in the municipality.
Practice
The project Creation of a Tourist Information Center was implemented with the financial support of the Danube River Initiative Program of the Foundation for Local Government Reform and the US Agency for International Development. It started on July 1, 2000. The office of the Center was equipped with modern office facilities. On August 24, 2000 a Holiday of the River was organized, which coincided with the arrival of the participants in the International Danube Regatta. The Municipality has the ambition to restore the old tradition of this holiday.
A database providing information about the accommodation available, various places of recreation and entertainment, and transportation links was created. The Center maintains information files covering natural, cultural, and historical sights, as well as national historical monuments. A tourist walking route along the riverside of the Danube was marked, with an itinerary Tutrakan the village of Pozarevo the Malak Kosui Island. It takes five hours to pass along the route; there are suitable camping sites on the way. Along the route, rare flora and fauna species, typical only of humid areas, could be seen. Pozarevo Island is a protected territory of worldwide importance as a nesting place of the globally endangered small cormoran. A small holiday village was set up tourists are provided with all equipm
The Tourist Information Center has prepared and issued printed advertising materials. The set comprises the Tutrakan guide-book (in English and Bulgarian); brochures of the cultural, historical, and architectural sights; postcards; leaflets describing the eco trail along the Danube, the opportunities for fishing and camping, and typical rare species, living in the region of Tutrakan. The ethnographical museum Danube fishing and boat building provides original tools for fishing on the riverside of Danube. With this collection and the advertising materials the Center participated in the Holiday 2001 Tourist Exchange, held from 14th to 16th February 2001 in the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. The project also planned seminars discussing the use of the given natural, architectural, historical, and cultural resources of the Tutrakan region and the possibilities for development of alternative tourism.
The project Creation of a Tourist Information Center was implemented with the financial support of the Danube River Initiative Program of the Foundation for Local Government Reform and the US Agency for International Development. It started on July 1, 2000. The office of the Center was equipped with modern office facilities. On August 24, 2000 a Holiday of the River was organized, which coincided with the arrival of the participants in the International Danube Regatta. The Municipality has the ambition to restore the old tradition of this holiday.
A database providing information about the accommodation available, various places of recreation and entertainment, and transportation links was created. The Center maintains information files covering natural, cultural, and historical sights, as well as national historical monuments. A tourist walking route along the riverside of the Danube was marked, with an itinerary Tutrakan the village of Pozarevo the Malak Kosui Island. It takes five hours to pass along the route; there are suitable camping sites on the way. Along the route, rare flora and fauna species, typical only of humid areas, could be seen. Pozarevo Island is a protected territory of worldwide importance as a nesting place of the globally endangered small cormoran. A small holiday village was set up tourists are provided with all equipm
The Tourist Information Center has prepared and issued printed advertising materials. The set comprises the Tutrakan guide-book (in English and Bulgarian); brochures of the cultural, historical, and architectural sights; postcards; leaflets describing the eco trail along the Danube, the opportunities for fishing and camping, and typical rare species, living in the region of Tutrakan. The ethnographical museum Danube fishing and boat building provides original tools for fishing on the riverside of Danube. With this collection and the advertising materials the Center participated in the Holiday 2001 Tourist Exchange, held from 14th to 16th February 2001 in the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. The project also planned seminars discussing the use of the given natural, architectural, historical, and cultural resources of the Tutrakan region and the possibilities for development of alternative tourism.
Results
- Guests and residents of the municipality have the opportunity to receive up-to-date information about the places and cost of holidays in the Turtakan region;
- Close contacts with representatives of the Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism, Tourist Bureaus and Agencies all over the country were established;
- The Tourist Municipal Association and Tourist Information Center were included in the tourist catalog Holiday 2001 - Due to participation in the Holiday 2001 Tourist Exchange, the tourist product of the municipality of Tutrakan will be included in specialized tourist publications in Bulgaria and abroad;
- Active partnership among Tourist Information Center, local authorities, cultural institutions, and NGOs in the municipality was created.
- Guests and residents of the municipality have the opportunity to receive up-to-date information about the places and cost of holidays in the Turtakan region;
- Close contacts with representatives of the Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism, Tourist Bureaus and Agencies all over the country were established;
- The Tourist Municipal Association and Tourist Information Center were included in the tourist catalog Holiday 2001 - Due to participation in the Holiday 2001 Tourist Exchange, the tourist product of the municipality of Tutrakan will be included in specialized tourist publications in Bulgaria and abroad;
- Active partnership among Tourist Information Center, local authorities, cultural institutions, and NGOs in the municipality was created.
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