Project name: Interregional Tourism through Cultures (ITC)
Financial source: “Interreg – IPA CBC” Bulgaria – The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Program
Leading partner: International Initiatives for Cooperation – Bulgaria
Partner from Macedonia: Minority Leaders for Society – Macedonia
Budget: € 57,940.96

The project envisages to make a research of the potential of the two target areas to develop alternative tourism and to identify the natural and cultural heritage sites, services and traditions that can boost the touristic potential of the region.
A series of three trainings will be organised for the representatives of the target groups:

A guide of alternative tourism in the target areas will be composed and a website developed where all the identified natural and cultural heritage and services will be pinned on the electronic map. A final conference will be held in Stip (MK) to present the project’s outcomes and to discuss opportunities for future cooperation in the region.

Project Results:

  • Identified at least 40 natural and cultural heritage sites and 40 alternative services in the 2 target areas;
  • the potential of the target areas to develop alternative tourism studies;
  • 60 representatives of the target groups informed and trained how to preserve and manage the natural and cultural heritage and how to establish sustainable business;
  • 2 touristic cultural fairs gathering more than 60 key actors organised in Blagoevgrad (BG) and Stip (MK);
  • a guide of alternative tourism developed; a website developed; a final conference gathering more than 50 representatives from the target groups and key actors in the field of tourism held in Stip (MK).

Target group:

People, families and businesses providing specific tourist services; bio-producers and bio-farms; houses of culture, cultural, info and tourist centers.