DANUBE RIVER WETLANDS
ECOTOURISM DESTINATION
Action Plan for Ecotourism Destination
Prepared by:
Coordinator:
Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction Project
Marietta Stoimenova, Project Manager
Maria Luise Blvd., room 408 Sofia 1000
tel: 940 65 51; 940 66 10
fax: 980 87 34
Email: wetlands_ppu@moew.government.bg
Consultants:
Mr. Metodi Metodiev, BCEG Project
Supported by:
World Bank
United States Agency for International
Development (USAID)
through the Biodiversity Conservation &
Economic Growth Project II
Between August and November 2003 Ecotourism Action Plans for twelve potential
ecotourism destinations were developed throughout the country. Many
stakeholders participated in the development of the Plans. This work included the
review and assessment of local resources and opportunities, setting priorities, and
assembling the plans. The proposals prepared during the process have been used
in the development of the National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan for
Bulgaria.
The development of Action Plans for Ecotourism Destinations is a continual
process engaging participants from regions' private citizens, municipalities and
donor programs. As such, the Plans should are not repositories of exhaustive lists
of projects from the destinations. Nor should the projects be viewed as definitive.
Although considerable regional cooperation and coordination was undertaken
during their development, the Action Plans have not been officially approved as a
planning document at either the municipal or district levels. Additional work in the
regions is needed to ensure duly approved and balanced action plans that fit with
the National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan, that comply with the current
regional development legislative framework and which fully reflect the regions'
vision for ecotourism. The projects and activities listed in the Action Plans are
important, but they should not be seen as the only regional priority actions in the
tourism sphere.
For more information: www.ecotourism.bulgariatravel.org
List of Acronyms
BCEG
Biodiversity Conservation and Economic Growth Project
BSPB
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds
GEF
Global Environment Facility
MoEW
Ministry of Environment and Water
NATURA 2000 European Ecological Net (for the EU contries and the contries from
Central and East Europe, in integration process), contents territories
under protection according to the requirements of the Bird and Habitats
Directive
NETS
National Eco-Tourism Strategy
NGO
Non-Governmental Organization
PHARE
EU Assistance for Economic Restructuring Program
RAMSAR
Convention on Wetlands adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971.
Ramsar is the only global environmental treaty dealing with a particular
ecosystem
RIEW
Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water
SAPARD
EU Investment pre-accession Funds in the Field of Agriculture and
Forestry
UNESCO
Abbreviation for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization, a structure of the United Nations Organization for
education, science and culture; supports cooperation between countries
in indicated areas.
USAID
United States Agency for International Development
For more information: www.ecotourism.bulgariatravel.org
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1
1. Description of the Ecotourism Destination......................................................... 1
1.2 General description ................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Resource Diversity of the Ecotourism Destination ................................................................. 3
2. Situation analysis ............................................................................................ 13
3. Vision of the development of ecotourism in the region .................................... 15
4. Strategic goals ................................................................................................ 15
4.1 Preserving Natural and Cultural Heritage ............................................................................ 15
4.2 Developing Ecotourism Business......................................................................................... 15
4.3 Regional and Local Development ........................................................................................ 15
5. Priority Actions ................................................................................................ 17
FOLLOW THE BULGARIAN DANUBE SHORE!
For more information: www.ecotourism.bulgariatravel.org
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Introduction
The drafting of the ecotourism plan for the Danube River Wetlands Ecotourism
destination is an integral part of the overall National Ecotourism Strategy and
Action Plan. The MOEW project "Wetland Restoration and Pollution Reduction"
(GEF TF 050706 BUL) was nominated by the Biodiversity Conservation and
Economic Growth II Project team and sponsored by both the United States Agency
for International Development and the government of the Republic of Bulgaria. This
project facilitated the drafting of the regional ecotourism action plan for the
ecotourism destination.
The process of drafting this regional ecotourism action plan included over 60
representatives from various interested parties: state institutions, municipal and
regional administrations, regional environment and water inspectorates, protected
areas and park administrations, NGO's, mass media, and the tourist industry.
These partners and stakeholders in the Danube River Wetlands Ecotourism
destination served to identify a large number of natural, cultural, historical,
infrastructural, and human resources. These resources provided the basis for the
plan and will be consolidated into an information database.
The regional population is, in general, not well-educated in terms of the economic
growth potential in ecotourism. There are some local and regional initiatives within
the framework of nature and cultural heritage protection activities, but they all lack
a strategic approach and systematic consistency.
Via the NETS program, state institutions and municipal administrations, as well as
the non-governmental and business sector, became interested in drafting an action
plan for ecotourism. Currently, the interest in developing ecotourism around
protected areas and parks in the ecotourism destination greatly exceeds available
ecotourism infrastructure.
The primary goal of the ecotourism action plan is to identify priority measures and
activities for ecotourism development in the ecotourism destination of Danube
River regions through the year 2008. Successful implementation of this ecotourism
plan will also contribute to fulfilling the goals of municipal and regional development
plans, and it is hoped that it will become an integral component of comprehensive
regional economic development policy. The plan's inherent flexibility will allow it to
be adapted to the changing goals and priorities of regional municipalities within the
Danube River Wetlands Ecotourism destination.
1.
Description of the Ecotourism Destination
1.2
General description
The Danube River forms the natural northern boundary of this ecotourism
destination. Its southern boundary is formed by the Danube River floodplain and
includes the Beli and Cherni Lom river valleys. The ecotourism destination includes
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 1
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
a total of 25 municipalities along the Danube, which are part of 6 administrative
regions. Municipalities include Bregovo, Novo Selo, Vidin, Dimovo, Lom,
Vulchedrum, Kozlodui, Mizia, Oryahovo, Dolna Mitropoliya, Gulyantsi, Nikopol,
Belene, Svishtov, Tsenovo, Borovo, Ivanovo, Hlebarovo, Dve Mogili, Russe, Slivo
Pole, Tutrakan, Glavinitsa, Sitovo, and Silistra. The administrative regions are as
follows: Vidin, Montana, Veliko Turnovo, Pleven, Rousse, and Silistra.
This ecotourism destination comprises towns and villages belonging to three plan
regions: North-West, North-Central and North-East. The Danube River
municipalities are also trans-boundary cooperation areas.
According to the classification of the National Plan for the Development of
Agriculture and Rural Regions 2000-2006, as per SAPARD, 13 municipalities from
the ecotourism destination are "backward rural areas." In connection with
supporting activities under measure 1.3 "Development of agricultural activities
aimed at environmental protection," 19 Danube municipalities are defined as
municipalities having a "potential for developing rural tourism." The area of the
Russenski Lom Nature Park is a pilot area under this agro-ecological measure.
This provides opportunities to preserve the bio and landscape diversity of the park
area through agro-ecological activities which maintain and even improve semi-
natural habitats.
The legislative framework of the Ecotourism Action Plan is determined by several
primary documents: The Tourism Act, the Regional Development Act, the
Protected Areas Act, and the Biodiversity Conservation Act. When defining priority
goals and activities, the ecotourism plan supports the goals of the National
Regional Development Plan, the National Environment Protection Strategy, the
Wetlands Restoration Strategy, the Danube Islands Restoration Strategy, the
National Plan for Agriculture and Rural Regions Development, etc. Bulgaria is party
to all international agreements related to the protected areas.
The administrations of regional governors and municipalities, along with those of
parks and protected areas, provide the institutional framework for implementing the
ecotourism action plan. It is these bodies which will integrate the ecotourism action
plan with already standing municipal, district, and regional development plans
focused on cultural heritage tourism. "Sustainable development" is the overarching
ethic which drives all aspects of this process.
In this ecotourism destination, the three tourism councils are located in Vidin,
Russe and Silistra. The tourism council in Russe is the most active. Its members
also include different companies, tour operators and agencies, hotel and restaurant
keepers, and other individuals engaged in tourism.
Tourism information centers are particularly active in offering ecotourism packages
and services within the territory of the ecotourism destination. Such centers exist in
Tutrakan, Russe, Ivanovo, Vidin, Novo Selo. The visitor's center at Russenski Lom
Nature Park also provides information for regional tourism.
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 2
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Tourism information offices located with "Business Centers under the JOBS Project
of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy" (set up with the financial assistance of
UNDP) can also provide ecotourism and general tourism services.
The Ecotourism destination Danube River Wetlands houses three of the country's
total of 24 tourism information offices. These are to be found in Silistra, Svishtov,
and Vidin. These offices are able to continuously update their information on
accommodations, food, tourist attractions, etc.
The business centers also offer various training courses for starting up small
businesses, including in the field of tourism. Due to their well-organized network
and trans-boundary cooperation areas status, they can participate in regional and
trans-boundary projects and offer regional and trans-boundary ecotourism products
as well.
The entire Danube River Wetlands Ecotourism destination is located in Euro-
Region Lower Danube. This region is seeing the implementation of many
biodiversity preservation projects sponsored by the EU and other parties, including
"Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction," "Agriculture Pollution Control,"
"Vidin and Russe for the Russenski Lom Nature Park," "The Wonderful World of
the Orlova Chuka Cave," "Lower Danube Green Corridor," etc.
The ecotourism destination also boasts NGOs for trans-boundary cooperation with
Romania and the former Yugoslav republics: the Euro-Region Danubius
Association, Russe; the Euro-Region Silistra-Kalarash Association, Silistra; the
Euro-Region Dunav-21 Association, Vidin; the Association for Trans-Boundary
Cooperation and Development of North-West Bulgaria, Vidin; the Association of
Danube Municipalities-Kalafat Zone; the Association for Border Cooperation and
Regional Development Timok-21, Vidin.
Particularly active in this ecotourism destination are NGOs that implement projects
related to environmental protection and especially ecotourism: "World for All,"
Silistra (Sreburna-a European Dream project on the Territory of the Sreburna
Nature Reserve); the Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Area, Tutrakan (presently
managing the Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Area under the MOEW project
"Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction"); the Fishermen's Association,
Tutrakan; the Akademik Student's Association, Russe; Ekosever, Russe (an
accomplished project on European legislation in the field of the environment);
Yacht Club Vidin; European Spaces, Russe; Ekoglasnost, Russe; Ekoplaneta,
Russe. Additionally, the Aleko Tourist Society, Svishtov; The Earth Forever,
Svishtov; BSPB, Svishtov; and the Training Center in Svishtov offer ecotourism
packages.
1.2
Resource Diversity of the Ecotourism Destination
Natural Resources
The Danube River Wetlands Ecotourism destination is characterized with lowlands
and flat-undulating relief. The climate there is classified as temperate-continental.
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 3
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Soil types vary, with the most typical being alkaline humus, alluvial-meadow, and
humus-carbonate soils. Soils in the Danube Plain are fertile and humus-rich.
Alluvial-meadow soils predominate in river valleys.
The Bulgarian bank of the Danube River from the Timok River to Silistra is 471.45
km long. At many points the bank is narrow and steep down to the water line while
at others it is up to several kilometers wide and borders relatively large lowlands
which are periodically flooded.
The ecotourism destination is poor in forests. Natural vegetation in Danube
lowlands consists of riverside strips of Salix alba willows, Populus alba poplars, old
acidophyllic oak forests Quercus robur and riverside mixed forests of Quercus
robur, Ulmus laevis, and Ulmus minor. Along the river valley of Russenski Lom
there are mixed forests oak, hornbeam, lime, elm, ash and maple. Natural forests
have been greatly reduced due to the agricultural use of the region.
Flooded forests along the river's main stem and on Danube Islands are of major
importance for biodiversity along the Danube River. There are a total of 75 islands
along the river within Bulgarian territory. Their form changes continuously due to
the river's hydrology. These islands are the habitat of 53 major species, as well as
plants and animals of national, European and world conservation importance. In
the last decades the expansion of areas with poplar vegetation on Danube islands
has resulted in destruction and damage of natural flooded forests. That is why the
Ministry of Agriculture and Forests and the Ministry of Environment and Waters
have adopted a Strategy for Preservation and Restoration of flooded forests on
Danube Islands.
The water resources of the ecotourism destination are limited. The Danube River
itself is the major water resource. High-water rivers flowing through the ecotourism
destination include various Danube tributaries: the Iskur, Vit, Ossum, Yantra, and
Russenski Lom rivers. The Russenski Lom and Yantra Rivers flow through canyon-
like valleys. There is a karst spring near the village of Pissanets, Vetovo
Municipality.
The Bulgarian Danube shore is a wealth of natural heritage for Bulgaria. The
Danube River riparian zone and its adjacent forests are habitat for an abundance
of plant and animal communities, many of them with rare and threatened species
status and European/world importance. Several strategic documents deal
specifically with preserving Danube River water purity and biodiversity.
The river valley is of major importance for a number of bird species threatened on a
world scale. These species visit riverside areas during different seasons to breed,
nest and roost. The areas they use have been identified as habitats of
ornithological significance and are to be incorporated into the NATURA 2000
European Ecological Network. Sites of ornithological significance in Bulgaria
number a total of 50, of which 12 are along the Danube in the Danube River
Wetlands Ecotourism destination. Also of significance are the fisheries of Orsoya,
Funiyata, Gorni Tsibur Island, Ibisha Island, Vardim Island, the Belene Islands, the
Lomovete Valley, those near the village of Mechka, the Kalimok marsh, Stenata,
Pozharevo Island, and the Sreburna Reserve.
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 4
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
The Russenski Lom Reserve is a valuable nature, cultural and historical heritage
site in the Danube River Wetlands Ecotourism destination. A NATURA 2000 site
and site of ornithological significance, the park is part of the Via Pontica migration
corridor. It has several visitor areas: reception area, mass recreation area,
historical area and special-regime area.
Wetlands are habitats which have enormous significance for the biological
conservation of various biological species. From the viewpoint of ecotourism,
wetlands are visited by many nature lovers and scientists, who watch birds and
rare animals, take part in trainings on wetlands importance and functions, traverse
eco-trails and rest actively. Unfortunately, human impact has drastically reduced
the wetlands area along Bulgarian Danube shore.
The largest wetland areas in the ecotourism destination are Persina and Kalimok-
Brushlen. Under the MOEW project "Wetlands Restoration and Pollution
Reduction" they should be restored near to their natural state before their natural
water regime is disturbed. They are expected to be fully restored by the end of
2007.
Persina Nature Park is the largest Ramsar site in Bulgaria and contains a rich and
diverse bird population. Species biodiversity and conservation status are currently
being studied in detail. Kalimok-Brushlen is a sum total of beaches, in-island water
basins, marches and canals. The area is a small migration route of birds of prey, a
place for rest and winter quarters of many ducks, cormorants, pelicans and others,
including 16 worldwide endangered species.
The Stariyat Dub (Old Oak) protected locale covers part of Vardim island and is
included in the list of sites of ornithological significance in Bulgaria and in the
National Plan for priority activities on preserving major wetlands in Bulgaria. It is
also monitored by the World Wild Nature Fund under the Green Danube program.
A proposal model for declaring the island a NATURA 2000 protected area has
been made.
Sreburna Lake is a wetland under the Ramsar Convention. The reserve is a habitat
of 70 to 80 pelican mating pairs as well as other species of waterfowl, animals and
reptiles for a total of 1,338 species. The buffer area houses the Nature Science
Museum of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, where the pelican colony can be
observed on a video screen through a camera placed at the lake in 2003.
Two of Bulgaria's most beautiful caves, Orlova Chuka cave near Russe and
Magura near Vidin, are located in the ecotourism destination.
Cultural Monuments
According to historic data, as far back as the 3rd century C.E., the Danube was the
northern border of the Roman Empire, and fortresses built along its shores were
protection against warlike tribes, including Goths, Huns and Slavs. Later, the
Danube provided nautical access to Constantinople. In the era of the crusades, the
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 5
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
knights-crusaders used the river for their travel. During the Middle Ages, it
facilitated the Turk tribes invasion of Western and Central Europe.
Along the Danube river coastline, beginning from the most northwestern part of the
ecotourism destination to the most northeastern part, remains can be seen of
Roman defenses and fortresses, which are historic, architectural, construction,
ethnographic, and artistic monuments of culture. Many sites were settled by the
Romans, and testify as to culture and traditions over the centuries: the national
architectural and archeological reserve Durostorum-Drustur-Silistra, the antique
Roman towns of Nove and Ulpia Escus, the fortresses of Baba Vida and Kaleto,
Kastra Martis, the ancient castrum Dimum in Belene, the Thracian tomb and silver
treasure dated 4th century B.C.E. near Borovo, the only European late-antique
tomb of 4th century C.E. in Silistra, the Omurtag Preslaven Dom on the Danube
near the village of Maluk Preslavets, the antique fortress Transmariska in Tutrakan,
Sexaginta Prista in Russe, the medieval town of Cherven, the archeological
reserve Rock Churches in Ivanovo village and many others. The only ethnographic
museum along the Bulgarian Danube river coastline, the `Danube Fishing and
Boat-Making' museum, is located in Tutrakan. Tutrakan also hosts an authentic
and preserved fishing village dating from the Renaissance, with 48 authentic
Renaissance houses. The National Museum of Transport and Communications is
located in Russe. It occupies the building of the first railway station in Bulgaria. The
only bridge between Bulgaria and Romania at present connects Russe and
Gyurgevo. Excavations along the Danube river coast provide rich information about
the customs and lifestyles of the population in the region of present Northern
Bulgaria by telling us of their past.
Land Use
Agricultural landscapes in the region provide excellent opportunities for ecologically
pure agricultural produce. This is exclusively due to the specific microclimate
created by the Danube plain, which is located entirely in the Danube River
Wetlands ecotourism destination. Traditional agricultural crops in this ecotourism
destination are comprised of cereals (wheat, corn, barley), perennial plants
(vineyards, and fruit gardens) and vegetables.
More than 45% of the peach plantations in the country are located in the Silistra
region, where the famous peach brandy is also produced. Along the Danube coast,
there are established plantations of local grapes, many of which produce high-
quality wines. The most famous cellars are those in Novo Selo, Magura cave,
Ruptsi, Svishtov, Pirgovo, Russe and Silistra.
Traditional Danubian cuisine is invariably linked to wheat and corn. The bread
made here is made with special care, and from Vidin to Silistra locals make hominy
with butter and cheese. People from the Danube region cook incredible fish soup
right at the riverbank. In Kozlodui visitors can taste typical Wallachian dishes of
Slamura and Cleen. In Tsenovo one can try Makarina (a type of pastry) and wine
must gruel.
Social Events and Traditions
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 6
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
The diversity of religious communities in the ecotourism destination makes for a
wide range of traditional holidays and customs along the Danube. Ethnographic
and historical collections in villages and towns have preserved the population's
rituals. The river connects and helps Bulgarians, Turks, Roma, Tartars, Cossacks,
Wallachians, Slovaks, Armenians and Jews find a road to each other and improve
their land. On religious holidays Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Jews and Catholics
all get together as one.
The St. Dimitur Cathedral in Vidin is among the biggest Orthodox Christian
churches in Bulgaria, second only to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia. On
December 6, 1868 the Vidin Metropolitan Bishop Antim, who was elected as the
first Bulgarian Exarch in 1872, held the first church service in Bulgarian inside St.
Dimitur. The church in Brestovitsa (Tsenovo municipality) has 5 gilt bells given as a
gift by the Russian Tsar Alexander. Churches in the villages of Exarch Yossif and
Novo Selo are famous for their murals. Silistra boasts the 1862 Bulgarian Orthodox
church "Sts. Peter and Paul", Bulgaria's oldest (1620) Armenian Apostolic church
"Surp Astvadzadzin" (Virgin Mary) and the 1640 Kursumli Mosque of the city's
Muslim community. In September 2003 the relics of St. Dassi Dorostolski were
brought to Silistra. There are cathedrals in Russe, Belene, Dolna Mitropolia,
Svishtov, and Vidin. Russe is the center of the North Catholic Diocese. Moreover,
in Russe there are numerous monuments, churches and cult buildings including
Orthodox Christian, Catholic, Evangelist, Baptist, Adventist, and Armenian
churches, synagogues and mosques.
The beauty of nature and earth along the Danube are a never-ending source of
inspiration. Holidays depend on economic activity, so they are most numerous in
winter when the land and people take a rest from hard work. Usually, Orthodox
Christians along the Danube commemorate their saints with village- and city-wide
festivities. On St. Todor's Day, there horse races in the village of Obretenik,
Svishtov has "Svishtov Vines" on Trifon Zarezan, Belene marks St. Lazar's Day,
Dolna Mitropolia still observes the "St. Flour" ritual, the Banat authentic Bulgarian
weddings and Wallachians dance the Kalush dance. All Danube villages and towns
hold in great respect the ritual of throwing a cross in the river on St. Jordan's Day.
Traditional crafts in the ecotourism destination are also connected with the river.
Tutrakan fishermen still weave fishing nets and are skilled in building boats. There
are authentic fishermen's villages in Brushlen and Belene. Reed furniture is
produced in Belene and Silistra. Dolna Mitropolia has a museum of Bulgarian- and
Slovak-style woodcarving.
Cultural Events and Itineraries
Cultural and historical heritage in the ecotourism destination is centered mainly in
regional centers and some smaller towns. Cultural landmarks of the ecotourism
destination are the architecture and established cultural traditions, cultural and
historical heritage and the exchange of cultural products and ideas.
For nearly half a century, Russe has played host to the March Music Days
International Festival for symphony and cantata oratory music. Jazz art has been
developing for over 30 years now. Folklore music and dancing are traditions for the
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 7
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
region. The Zlatnata Gadulka international folklore festival for authentic and
arranged folklore, folk dances, songs and customs is held annually.
Every year Silistra hosts a Balkan children's festival "Tomorrow's peace starts with
today's friendship," while the Russenski Lom Nature Park hosts the "Eco-Art" forum
for reviving culture in the area. A rally to commemorate soldiers and officers
Bulgarians, Romanians, and Germans that died in the Tutrakan battle is held
every first Sunday in September at the Military Cemetery 191 near Tutrakan. Botev
festivities are held between May 27th and June 3rd when Botev fans from all over
Bulgaria march towards Okolchitsa peak, where the S.S. Radetski receives visitors
on her deck. The Danube carnival takes place on June 24th in the village of
Nikolovo. Vidin is host to the Danube Youth classical modern ballet festival, to the
Dances at the Danube international folklore festival, to the Danube Rhythms
regional festival for authentic folklore, an annual festival of Wallachian songs and
dances, the annual Roma festival and the Dunaviada ethno-festival.
Ivanovo municipality has several culture itineraries developed by the Regional
History Museum in Russe including "Gradishtata", "Stone of Faith", Tabachka's
Caves", "Stulpishte", and the Nissovo Monasteries.
The ecotourism destination hosts an international regatta held every August and
September along the Danube River from its spring in Germany to Silistra. Its
participants camp along the Danube and in Bulgaria.
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 8
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
General Infrastructure
The ecotourism destination has favorable transport and geographic location due to
the fact that its territory is crossed by two European transport corridors (#7 and #9)
which connect Europe (Baltic and North Sea), Asia and Africa (Mediterranean and
Black Sea). The Danube River is a key transport link between Western Europe and
the Balkan Peninsula. Presently, the river is used mainly for cargo transportation.
Passenger transport is not well developed. Boat trips are offered at some inhabited
places. There are border checkpoints along the river in Vidin, Oryahovo, Russe
and Silistra.
The development of road infrastructure is of key importance for the ecotourism
destination. Road infrastructure is well developed and relatively evenly distributed
throughout the region. There is, however, a large discrepancy between the level of
development of the road network in different towns and villages. This creates a
difference in the quality of transportation services, which range from very good to
unsatisfactory. Automobile transport is the main type of transportation. A number of
places are difficult to access in winter. All road network components are in a
relatively good condition but still fall short of the European standards for travel
safety and comfort. They should be repaired and adequately maintained, which
requires investments for road network renovation and development. Third- and
fourth-class roads are the norm in villages. In towns, first- second- and third-class
roads are more evident. Near Russe is the only bridge across the Danube between
Bulgaria and Romania. The Hemus motorway is not far from Russe's southern
border.
Railway transportation along the Danube has supplementary functions. For the
entire Danubean area, the Vidin and Russe railway transport systems are the most
effectively integrated into the national and international railway transportation
system.
Water transport and port infrastructure plays a secondary role. There are ports in
the municipalities of Vidin, Lom, Oryahovo, Dolna Mitropolia, Svishtov, Russe,
Tutrakan and Silistra. This infrastructure is currently used mainly for cargo
transportation.
Vidin has specialized RO-RO and RO-LA terminals, as well as a ferry connecting
Vidin and Kalafat. This is the shortest route from Western Europe via Bulgaria to
the Aegean Sea. Russe is Bulgaria's biggest Danubian city, and the port of Russe
is the biggest Bulgarian port on the Danube. It is part of the major transport
crossroads of trans-European transport corridors #7, #9 and the TRASEKA corridor
(Europe-the Caucasus-Asia). 2004 will see the construction of a RO-RO terminal at
Silistra as part of the #5 international corridor running from Turkey and the Middle
East via Bulgaria towards Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Russia and the
Scandinavian countries. From Silistra along the Danube there is a regular
passenger line to the Ukrainian town of Reni.
Danubian municipalities have a well-established electrical infrastructure. Bulgaria's
only nuclear power station is located in Kozlodui, and a second nuclear plant will
be built in Belene.
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 9
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
The existing water-supply network supplies water to 98% of the towns and villages.
Water quality is defined as "good for drinking" under Bulgarian State Standard.
Asbestos water supply pipes account for over 80% of all pipelines. Most of them
have not been replaced for over 20 years, are physically damaged and cause
massive losses of potable water. Towns and villages in the ecotourism destination
need investment support for the renovation of the water-supply network and
replacement of old asbestos pipes.
Development of the national telephone network system and connection quality is
relatively good. There are some problems with timely mail services in some smaller
inhabited areas. Not all inhabited areas are covered by high-quality radio and TV
signals. Optical telecommunication networks, which will also service trans-
boundary traffic, will be designed and built. Digitalization in regional centers is at an
advanced stage. The region enjoys good services related to modern information
technologies (the Internet) through the nationwide Internet access number,
0134200.
Solid waste is collected and transported in bulk to compost heaps. They are
intended for the deposit of both solid and construction wastes, as well as non-
hazardous production waste. Industrial, domestic and hazardous wastes are
subject to regional control. Regional depots for solid domestic waste are being
currently built in Silistra, Russe, and Kozlodui. They are designed by the MOEW
and funded by the ISPA program of the EU. These depots are expected to be built
by the end of 2005.Vidin municipality already has such a depot whose capacity will
expire in 2005. A new regional depot with cells for domestic and construction waste
will be built under an ISPA project in the 2005 to 2006 period.
The sewage system network in the ecotourism destination is well developed mostly
in larger cities: Russe (80% coverage), Byala (40%), Silistra, Vidin, Kozlodui,
Dimovo and Svishtov. The towns of Borovo and Two Mogili have a partially built
sewage network. The existing sewage system needs renovation. The remainder of
towns and villages still use septic pits and absorption wells, thus impairing
underground water quality. There are no wastewater purification facilities and the
region's water basins are uncontrollably polluted. Another problem is the still
chaotic disposal of waste into compost heaps, near the outskirts of villages in
particular. A widespread environmental pollution problem is the indiscriminate
disposal of manure and other agricultural waste.
The ecotourism destination has no specialized high-school and higher educational
establishments for the training of tourism personnel.
Tourism Infrastructure
The ecotourism destination as a whole is characterized by an underdeveloped
tourist infrastructure. Tourism infrastructure is better developed only in the Russe
region.
Hotels providing adequate accommodation are as follows:
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 10
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Vidin a total of 14 hotels with 462 beds, the hotel compounds of Ninov,
Bononia, Tourist House, the Zora, Dunav, Starite Borove, Merkurii, DNA, Rai,
Yuzhen Park, Sinagovtsi, and Avramov hotels, the Cholakis motel, the
Madonna hotel and folk-style restaurant, the Orlyaka hut near the Danube and
the Bozhuritsa hut located in the only elevated oak forest in Northwest Bulgaria,
between the villages of Sinagovtsi, Ivanovtsi, and Milchina Luka.
Kozlodui the Kozlodui Nuclear Power Station rest-house, the tourist chalet in
the Botev Park, the Istur hotel
Belene the rest house of the National Electric Power Company has over 100
beds, and villas and chalets on the Magaretsa and Persin islands can
accommodate 48 tourists
Svishtov the five hotels Dunav, Sviloza, Akademik, Kaleto and Korpus Yug
can accommodate over 660 people
Borovo there is one hut with accommodation for
Russe the city has very good accommodation facilities comprised of hotels,
motels, and huts: the Bistra and Galina, Danube Plaza Hotel, Lipnik business
center, Kristal, Lilia, National, Riga, Splendid, Russe and Yuvelir hotels, the
Luki, Petrov, and Rai motels, Zdravets and Prista huts, etc.
Slivo Pole tourists can be accommodated in the villa of the Pig Breeding Farm
in the village of Golyamo Vranovo, and the rest house of Apiaria-93 in the
village of Ryahovo
Tutrakan the Royal hotel near the village of Nova Cherna has 10 bedrooms
with over 30 beds
Sitovo a hut in the village of Irnik and two mini-hotels in the village of Sitovo
Sreburna a private hotel accommodating 15
Vetren, Silistra municipality the Kalimaritsa hotel and restaurant (20 beds), a
hotel and folk-style restaurant (9 beds), and a newly built hotel (10 beds), the
Evroklub hotel (70 beds), 50 beds in the Bulgarian Tourist Union bungalows,
the Silistra municipality hut (16 beds), and the ViK Simistra hut (10 beds)
Silistra the Zlatna Dobrudja and Bartimex hotels can accommodate larger
groups of tourists. The Chefaka hotel offers 10 beds
Large hotels offer guests one-day packages for rural and culture tourism in
adjacent areas. They have their own restaurants and transportation.
The towns and villages in the ecotourism destination have enough private transport
companies, travel offices, and currency exchange bureaus.
The ecotourism destination's natural resources offer excellent conditions for rest
and recreation, bird-watching, water tourism, summer regattas, trips to historical
places, photo-tourism, fishing and hunting, excursions, educational itineraries.
However, the existing ecotourism and visitor infrastructure does not help promotion
of the sights. Eco-trails, shelters, picnic spots and observation sites are not
enough, boats are scarce, and trail marking is inadequate.
Vidin, Russe, and Silistra have natural city parks on the Danube. The park in
Silistra is the oldest natural park along the Bulgarian part of the Danube.
Several tourist itineraries are offered in the Vidin area: Vidin--Belogradchik,
Vidin--Kula, Vidin--Novo Selo, and Vidin--Rabisha--Belogradchik.
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 11
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Boat trips are possible at Novo Selo. The horseback riding facility in Kozlodui can
be used for sport races and leisure riding. Sports complexes exist in Vidin,
Svishtov, Kozlodui, Russe and Silistra.
A Persina Nature Park visitor's center and a Danube Park are to be built in Belene.
Persina Nature Park publishes a monthly information bulletin on events in and
around the park. Svishtov currently offers four itineraries: a trip towards
Pametnitsite locale, west of the town, southwest of the town and a boat trip along
the river.
The villages of Koshov, Svalenik, Cherven, Ivanovo and Pissanets, all within the
framework of the Russenski Lom Nature Park, all have private houses which offer
a full set of amenities and B&B to tourists. The Park offers its visitors several
general-education itineraries, several panoramic routes, a historical route to the
Ivanovo rock churches and many walking trips. Tourist trails are well developed
and rest stops are marked.
The Russe Tourist Information Center offers the 2002 tourist itinerary system in a
"Guide to Cultural Heritage Routes." A similar guide and map of the region also
exists for Vidin.
The Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Area association publishes a monthly information
bulletin and advertising materials on the protected area. Ecotrails and itineraries
are soon to be marked.
In 2003, tourist eco-trails around the Sreburna reserve and Silistra were built
thanks to the assistance of the "World for Everyone" association and local NGOs.
Advertising and information materials tell visitors about biodiversity in the reserve.
Visitors to Silistra have several possibilities to learn about the history and traditions
of the area including a tour of Silistra sights, a trip to the Krepostta forest park and
the Drustur archeological reserve a visit to the history and ethnographic museums
as well as the art gallery.
Vast, unique and challenging -- this is the Danube River Wetlands ecotourism
destination!
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 12
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
2. Situation
analysis
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
1. Resources for the development
1. Underdeveloped infrastructure
of eco- and cultural tourism
(tourist and general)
2. The Danube River, a transport
2. Lack of a uniform information
corridor for servicing tourist flow
database on tourist sites, services
3. Cultural events of national
and itineraries
importance
3. Lack of regional strategies and plans
4. Preserved wetlands biodiversity;
for ecotourism development
5. Existing regional business
4. Poor environmental culture
associations
5. River transport, an untapped tourist
6. Existing tourist societies with
resource
ecotourism development
6. Shortage of diverse products,
facilities
advertising and information materials
7. Council of Tourism to impliment
7. Lack of marketing surveys on the
regional ecotourism
demand of ecotourism products
development policy
8. Lack of specialized educational
8. Existing higher-education and
structures/specialties for training
secondary schools that can train
ecotourism business personnel
personnel
9. Lack of administrative capacities and
9. Ethnic and religious diversity--
well-trained staff for the
traditions and spiritual values as
development of modern tourism
a tourist resource.
10. Poor knowledge of the cultures of
ethnic and religious minorities
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
1. Through Russe municipality,
1. Delayed adoption of the National
Bulgaria is a member of the
Ecotourism Development Strategy
Danube Countries Working
can delay the drafting of regional
Community (an EU structure),
strategies
which is a possibility for
2. The inadequate funding of strategies
ecotourism development in a
to be drafted will demotivate process
broader context
participants
2. Using the possibilities of the
3. Global warming has a negative
PHARE-Trans-Boundary
impact on biodiversity and river
Cooperation for developing
transportation development for the
ecotourism in the destination
needs of tourism in the ecotourism
3. Existence of university and
destination
college specialties related to
4. Delay in financial decentralization
business and agriculture in
does not allow the development of
Ecotourism destination 12,
regional and local initiatives in the
which allows for rapid
field of tourism to be financially
restructuring to meet educational
provided for.
needs
4. Inclusion of sites and attractions
into national and international
tourist itineraries
5. Seven municipalities have a
zero profit tax
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 13
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 14
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
3.
Vision of the development of ecotourism in the region
The Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination is a European region
characterized by a clean and blue Danube, green shores, rich biodiversity in
restored wetlands, rich cultural and historical heritage dating from antiquity to the
present day and authentic and diverse Danubian culture.
This plan's strategic goal is to have the protected area network along the Danube
expanded within 5 years, conditions created for biodiversity preservation and
restoration, for ecotourism become a major part of the economic development of
municipalities in the ecotourism destination and for the Danube River Wetlands
ecotourism destination to become an attractive ecotourism destination. Local
communities will be the motive force behind these processes with a responsible
and committed attitude towards nature.
4. Strategic
goals
4.1
Preserving Natural and Cultural Heritage
4.1.1
Inventory of available resources and establishment of a unified
database for such resources.
4.1.2
Preservation and sustainable use of natural resources within the
region.
4.1.3
Expansion of the protected area network within the region.
4.1.4
Development of a marketing strategy to promote the regional crafts,
culture and traditions.
4.1.5
Increasing public awareness in order to form ecoculture among the
population.
4.2
Developing Ecotourism Business
4.2.1
Development of appropriate general and specific tourism
infrastructure.
4.2.2
Restoration of tourism transport along the Danube.
4.2.3
Attracting financial resources in support of ecotourism development
within the destination - EU financial tools and other donors.
4.2.4
Stimulating businesses, local authorities and NGO to develop
ecotourism through development of regional and local ecotourism
policy and economy.
4.2.5
Development of a mechanism for spreading information about
ecotourism opportunities within the region.
4.3
Regional and Local Development
4.3.1
Regional and local ecotourism capacity building.
4.3.2
Development and implementation of regional and local strategies and
plans for ecotourism development.
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 15
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
4.3.3
Encouraging the regional and trans-boundary cooperation for
ecotourism through establishing a regional ecotourism coordination
center.
4.3.4 Institutional
ecotourism capacity building.
4.3.5
Involving the population in the preservation and maintenance of
natural and historic resources, and their interpretation through
tourism.
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 16
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
5. Priority
Actions
Action # 1: Development of Management Plans for Protected Areas and
Buffer Zones
Description:
Development and application of management plans for Orlova Chuka Natural
Landmark, Maluk Preslavets Marsh Natural Landmark, Kalimok-Brushlen
Protected Locale, Buffer Zone to Srebarna Maintained Reserve
Justification:
Orlova Chuka Natural Landmark the second longest cave in Bulgaria. It is
comparatively poor in formations, but it is very attractive with its entirely
horizontal tourism section and the bats that inhabit it. Its entrance is located in
the Cherni Lom river canyon, and is accessible by an automobile road. The
natural landmark was declared with 80 hectares of adjacent area. There are no
visitor infrastructure established, but such an infrastructure should be
implemented on both riverbanks.
Maluk Preslavets Marsh Natural Landmark Valued for its exceptionally
attractive landscape of high esthetic value and low anthropogenic impact. No
biological diversity surveys have been performed, but the site has significant
potential. There are no ecotrails or visitor infrastructure.
Buffer Zone to the Srebarna Maintained Reserve there are guesthouses
established and operational nearby (Vetren village) with a total capacity of 10
beds.
Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Locale This is a territory of high ecotourism
potential. It could offer diverse tourism attractions, related to cognitive tourism,
recreation, etc.
Territorial Scope:
· Orlova Chuka Natural Landmark Orlova Chuka Cave Dve Mogili
Municipality, Ivanovo Municipality, Russe Municipality
· Maluk Preslavets Marsh Natural Landmark Glavinitsa Municipality,
Silistra Municipality
· Buffer Zone to the Srebarna Maintained Reserve Silistra Region
· Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Locale - Silistra Region, Russe Region
Strategic Objective(s):
5.1.1, 5.1.2
Expected Results:
· Biological diversity conservation
· Creating opportunities for usage of protected area resources for
ecotourism development
· Creating preconditions for usage of protected area resources for local
development
Activities:
Surveying, planning, discussing, adopting, applying, and evaluating of
management plans
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Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
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Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Indicators:
· State of biological diversity
· Number of developed and implemented management plans
· Availability of local ecotourism initiatives
Lead Agency/Partners:
Regional administrations, municipalities, RIEW, independent experts, protected
area administrations
Duration:
2 years
Budget:
500,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
MOEW Project "Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction" GEF TF 050706
BUL (for Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Locale)
Action # 2: Development of Tourism Trails for Visits to the Danube
Wetlands by Water
Description:
Providing opportunities for water tourism on the Danube (ecotourism water trails,
ship and boat trips on the Danube)
Justification:
The destination can offers a number of unused opportunities for the
development of attractive tourist trails, which will allow not only income
generation through tourism activities but also promotion of the values of
biodiversity and traditional culture of the destination.
Boat trips on the Danube river may involve entering lakes along the Danube as
well as visits and tours around the Danubian islands. Organizing attractive forms
of ecotourism (e.g. establishment of fishing villages, where tourists may observe
the making and preparation of fishing nets and other appliances, to participate
directly in fishing, to taste fish delicacies, typical for the Vidin region, etc.).
Territorial Scope:
Russe Municipality, Slivo Pole Municipality, Tutrakan Municipality, the
municipalities from the mouth of Timok river to the town of Vidin (Vidin, Novo
Selo, Dimovo, Bregovo)
Strategic Objective(s):
5.2, 5.3.6, 5.2.1, 5.2.6
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 19
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Expected Results:
Developed and introduced ecotourism water trails
Activities:
Studying, planning, development, offering, maintaining and promoting
ecotourism trails
Indicators:
New trails and products and number of visits
Lead Agency/Partners:
Russe Regional Administration, Silistra Regional Administration, Dve Mogili
Municipality, Ivanovo Municipality, Russe Municipality, Russe REWI,
independent experts, the municipalities of Vidin, Novo Selo, Dimovo, Bregovo,
Vidin Regional Administration, NGOs.
Duration:
1 year for each trail from 2004 through 2008
Budget:
100,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
International donors, municipal budget, mobilization local resources
Action # 3: Development of Hiking Tourism Ecotrails
Description:
Developing hiking ecotourism trails near:
· Cherven medieval fortress and Orlova Chuka cave
· The municipalities of Vidin, Novo Selo, Dimovo and Bregovo
· The area between the fortress walls from Telegraph Kapia to Top Kapia
Vidin
· Forest parks Pamuk-Kulak and Vetren Silistra municipality
Justification:
The creation of walking trails will diversify opportunities for ecotourism by
including currently and insufficiently used resources
Development and marking with signs and other trail markings on a trail
connecting Cherven medieval fortress and Orlova Chuka cave including using
the bridges that cross Cherni Lom river. Two tourist attractions are located
between the largest bends of the Cherni Lom river. The river makes three abrupt
changes in the direction of its flow thus forming marked curves in the canyon
through which it runs.
Territorial Scope:
· The trail connecting Cherven medieval fortress and Orlova Chuka cave
Dve Mogili Municipality, Ivanovo Municipality, Russe Municipality
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 20
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
· The municipalities of Vidin, Novo Selo, Dimovo, Bregovo
· Silistra Municipality (forest parks Pamuk-Kulak and Vetren)
Strategic Objective(s):
5.2, 5.3.6, 5.2.1, 5.2.6
Expected Results:
Developed and introduced ecotourism hiking trails
Activities:
Study, planning, development and delivery of hiking ecotourism products as well
as their maintenance and promotion
Indicators:
Number of new trails, products and number of visitors
Lead Agency/Partners:
Regional Administrations (Russe, Vidin), Municipalities (Silistra, Vidin, Novo Selo,
Dimovo, Bregovo, Dve Mogili, Ivanovo, Russe), Russe REWI, independent
experts, NGOs, History Museum, Vidin Municipality, Forest Park administrations
(Pamuk-Kulak and Vetren)
Duration:
1 year for each trail from 2004 through 2008
Budget:
Approx. 100,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
MOEW Environmental Activity Management Enterprise Fund, municipal
budget, international donors, national programs
Action # 4: Development and Design of Specialized Trails
Description:
Developing and introducing specialized ecotourism trails including the Kaikusha
biking trail, the BDA ornithological trail and the Photo Safari trail.
Justification:
The creation of walking trails will diversify opportunities for ecotourism by
including insufficiently used resources
· Kaikusha biking trail available natural resources are a prerequisite for
developing a trail to theKaikusha Protected Locale
· BDA ornithological trail the diverse bird fauna is a prerequisite for the
development of this trail
· Photo Safari trail - available natural resources and the large number of bird
species are prerequisites for developing this trail
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 21
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 22
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Territorial Scope:
· Kaikusha biking trail Belene Municipality
· BDA ornithological trail Belene Danube archipelago
· Photo Safari trail Belene Municipality and Nikopol Municipality
Strategic Objective(s):
5.2, 5.3.6, 5.2.1, 5.2.6
Expected Results:
Developed and introduced specialized ecotourism trails and increased number of
vistors without threatening biodiversity in the destination
Activities:
Study, planning, development and delivery of specialized ecotourism products
and their maintenance and promotion
Indicators:
Number of new trails and products and number of visitors
Lead Agency/Partners:
Persina Nature park Directorate, environmental and tourism NGOs, businesses
from Belene Municipality and Nikopol Municipality, the Municipalities of Belene
and Nikopol, tour operators
Duration:
· Kaikusha biking trail 6 months
· BDA ornithological trail 9 months
· Photo Safari trail 9 months
Budget:
· Kaikusha biking trail 2,000 Leva
· BDA ornithological trail 3,000 Leva
· Photo Safari trail 4,000 Leva
Funding Sources: MOAF the Wetlands Restoration and Biogenic Pollution
Reduction Project, NGOs, municipal programs, business sponsors and financing
programs SAPARD, PHARE and local initiatives
Action # 5: `History, Customs, and Nature of the Danube Region' Ecotrail
Description:
Developing and introducing ecotourism trails and products
Justification:
This trail is unique, because in its 200 km it runs through three sites which are
under the auspices of UNESCO (1/3 of all such sites in Bulgaria), extremely
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 23
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
diverse nature from semi-mountain areas to marshes, unique cultural
communities 5 religions, exceptionally rich historic heritage such as:
· Historic sites (Ivanovo rock church; Cherven the Fortress, Sveshtari
Thracian tomb, Toutrakan Roman fortress, Roman road, Silistra
Roman basilica and architectural monuments)
· Cultural sites (Russe downtown, Toutrakan downtown and fishing village,
Demir Baba worship center for the Aleani)
· Temples (catholic, orthodox, Muslim, (Tataritsa and kazulbashki))
· Historical, ethnographic and other museums
· Natural sites (Russenski Lom petrophillic flora and fauna, Orlova Chuka
cave, Kalimok wetland, Srebarna World Heritage site, Maluk Preslavets
and Garvan wetlands, Danube islands flooded forests).
Territorial Scope:
Silistra and Russe Regions
Strategic Objective(s):
5.2, 5.3.6, 5.2.1, 5.2.6
Expected Results:
New trails and products, number of visitors
Activities:
Study, planning, development and offering of specialized ecotourism trails as well
as their maintenance and promotion
Indicators:
· Number and quality of new trails and products
· Number of visitors
· Visitor satisfaction
Lead Agency/Partners:
Municipal and regional administrations, tourism companies, historic and
ecological organizations, businesses
Duration:
18 months
Budget:
30,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
Local businesses and tour operators, projects, NGOs, municipalities, regional
development plans by the municipalities of Russe, Razgrad, and Silistra
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 24
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Action # 6: A Weekend with the Fishermen from Tutrakan
Description:
Developing and introducing a specialized ("fishing") ecotourism product. This
activity builds upon the unique resources of the region (a large navigable river,
islands with large beaches) and fishing as a unique and traditional source of
livelihood for the local population. It envisages accepting groups of tourists and
offering to them to join the daily life of the Danube fishermen and enjoy the
nature of the Danube river. The product is comprised of: accommodation,
fishermen cuisine (various types of fish cooked in different ways on fire in the
open), lunch and supper in the open on the river shore by a fire, boat trip with an
opportunity to learn how to drive a fishing boat, fishing with an opportunity to
learn fishing through various techniques, an opportunity for tourists to prepare
themselves the fish they have caught under the guidance of the fisherman and a
visit to a Danubian island with sunbathing and/or wildlife viewing (part of the
program could take place on the island).
Justification:
The creation of this product will diversify opportunities for ecotourism by
including insufficiently used resources. This will also contribute to income
generation for the local community and the promotion of the traditional culture of
the settlement.
Territorial Scope:
Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Locale and Pozharevski Ostrovi Protected locale
(although this project could be developed at any location along Danube River
where fishing is practiced)
Strategic Objective(s):
5.2, 5.3.6, 5.2.1, 5.2.6
Expected Results:
New trails and products, number of visitors
Activities:
Study, planning, development and delivery of a specialized ecotourism product
Indicators:
· New product
· Product quality
· Number of visitors
· Visitor satisfaction
Lead Agency/Partners:
Municipalities and non-governmental organizations local fishermen
associations and hotel owners
Duration:
1 year for development, annually for implementation (mid-May, when the fishing
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 25
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
prohibition ends in September)
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 26
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Budget:
20,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
Local and regional businesses (hotel owners, etc.), tourism organizations,
fishermen organizations, national and international programs
Action # 7: Development of Ecotourism Infrastructure
Description:
Ensuring conditions for the efficient use of ecotourism trails and products. Making
benches, children's playgrounds, fireplaces, fitness facilities, construction of
shelters for rainy weather along the roads and tourism trails for hiking and biking
ecotourists
Justification:
The construction of a ecotourism infrastructure will contribute to the assurance of
safe and easy access of nature admirers to attractive territories and sites for the
diversification of tourism products
Territorial Scope:
Municipalities where ecotourism trails are present
Strategic Objective(s):
5.2, 5.3.6
Expected Results:
· Creating preconditions for the development of new products
· Increasing the number of visitors
· Visitor satisfaction
Activities:
Study, design, construction and marking of the ecotourism infrastructure
Indicators:
· Number and type of ecotourism infrastructure elements
· Number of visitors
· Degree of visitor satisfaction
Lead Agency/Partners:
NGOs, State Forestries, Silistra Municipality, TA and TO, MOEW, road
construction companies
Duration:
1 year during the period from 2004 to 2008
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 27
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Budget:
100,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
MOEW Environmental Activity Management Enterprise Fund, international
programs and projects, municipal and state budgets, mobilizing local resources
Action # 8: Construction of Resting Sites and Bivouacs for Water Regattas
Description:
Construction of resting sites along the Danube river coast and on the islands,
which would create conditions for developing a `water regatta' tourism product
Justification:
An ecotourism infrastructure needs to be established that provides opportunities
for bivouacking water regattas along the Danube river
Territorial Scope:
Danube river coast between Nikopol and Belene
Strategic Objective(s):
5.2, 5.3.6, 5.4
Expected Results:
· Increasing the number of visits and visitor satisfaction
· Creating local development opportunities
· Piloting and multiplying the establishment of such an infrastructure along
the Danube river coastline
Activities:
Study, design, construction and marking of an ecotourism infrastructure for
bivouacking on the Danube river coast
Indicators:
· Number and type of ecotourism infrastructure elements
· Number of visitors
· Degree of visitor satisfaction
Lead Agency/Partners:
Persina Nature Park Directorate, NGOs, Municipalities of Belene and Nikopol,
sponsors
Duration:
12 months
Budget:
30,000 Leva
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 28
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Funding Sources:
MOAF, Wetlands Restoration and Biogenic Pollution Reduction Project, NGOs,
municipal programs, business sponsors, financing programs SAPARD, PHARE
and local initiatives
Action # 9: Construction of Specialized Bird-Watching Sites
Description:
Construction of specialized bird-watching sites (facilities and approaches) along
the Danube river coast and on the islands within protected and non-protected
locales which create conditions for accommodating larger groups of tourists.
Justification:
Increased interest in bird-watching and an increased number of visitors raises the
risk of uncontrolled access to regions where the birds might be disturbed, which
could lead the relocation of these bird to different habitats and even to their
extinction. The establishment of an overall system of information signboards,
trails, marking and specialized facilities (viewing towers, shelters, plots) will
provide tourists opportunities to have visual contact and more information about
the site while at the same time resolving to a large extent the issues related to e
site preservation.
Territorial Scope:
Danube river coast between the towns of Nikopol and Belene
Strategic Objective(s):
5.1.2, 5.2, 5.3.6
Expected Results:
· Bird-watching infrastructure established
· Availability of appropriate conditions for access of large numbers of tourists
to protected areas
· Increase of visitors
· Preservation of bird habitats
Activities:
· Designing the ecotourism facility network
· Construction of the designed ecotourism infrastructure at all sites
· Monitoring the impact of the existing facilities and the number of visitors
Indicators:
· Number and type of ecotourism infrastructure elements
· Number of visitors
· State of biodiversity
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 29
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Lead Agency/Partners:
Persina Nature Park Directorate, environmental NGOs, business sponsors
Duration:
3 months
Budget:
4,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
MOAF, Wetlands Restoration and Biogenic Pollution Reduction Project, municipal
organizations, business sponsors, NGOs and financing programs - SAPARD,
PHARE and local initiatives
Action # 10: Establishment of a Visitor Center
Description:
Establishing a center with the following functions: administrative, information and
coordination services for residents and visitors to Persina Nature Park
Justification:
Opportunities need to be offered for providing information services to the visitors
of Persina Nature Park
Territorial Scope:
Belene Municipality
Strategic Objective(s):
5.2, 5.3.6
Expected Results:
Visitor center established as well as increased tourist numbers and visitor
awareness
Activities:
Study, design, construction and operation of a visitor center, maintenance and
promotion
Indicators:
Number and quality of services offered
Lead Agency/Partners:
Wetlands Restoration and Biogenic Pollution Reduction Project, Persina Nature
Park Directorate, tourism associations
Duration:
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 30
Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
36 months
Budget:
100,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
MoEW Wetlands Restoration and Biogenic Pollution Reduction Project
Action # 11: Development of a Database with a Register of the Natural,
Cultural and Historical Heritage Sites and Protected Areas
Description:
Studying, developing database and promoting the flora and fauna species
composition of the Vidin Region protected areas and wetlands:
· All inland water basins (e.g. Dubravka dam)
· Danube river coastline (from the mouth of Timok river to the end of Skomen
island)
· All Danubian islands (e.g. Golya, Golyam Bliznak, Malak Bliznak, Dovlek,
Dobrina, Skomen)
· Studying, enriching and promoting the flora and fauna species composition
within the Krepostta Protected Locale, and forest parks Pamuk-Kulak and
Vetren
Information will consist of a narrative section and listings for the existing tourism
infrastructure, which is needed both for biodiversity conservation management,
and for ecotourism development.
Justification:
The creation of a data base will contribute to the maintenance of updated
information for all sites included and more effective use for the purposes of tourism
development
Territorial Scope:
All Danubian municipalities
Strategic Objective(s):
5.2.1, 5.3.1, 5.3.5, 5.4.1, 5.3.7
Expected Results:
· Databases established
· Increased awareness
· Improved planning and management
Activities:
· Identifying existing regional surveys
· Conducting new surveys
· Collecting data
· Design and development of databases for the region or in parallel with
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Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
those for the country (the national geographic information system)
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Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Indicators:
· Available databases
· Number and quality of database indicators
· Frequency and volume of use
· Degree of user satisfaction
Lead Agency/Partners:
Regional administrations, REWI, independent experts, TO and TA, NGOs,
municipalities, state forestry authorities
Duration:
2 years
Budget:
15,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
MoEW Environmental Activity Management Enterprise Fund, municipal and
state budget, national programs, international donors
Action # 12: Repairs and Maintenance of Road Infrastructure and Bringing it
to Compliance with Technical Standards
Description:
Repair and maintenance of road infrastructure and bringing it in compliance with
the technical standards in forest parks Pamuk-Kulak and Vetren
Justification:
Access needs to be ensured to forest parks Pamuk-Kulak and Vetren
Territorial Scope:
Silistra Municipality
Strategic Objective(s):
5.3.6
Expected Results:
· Improving infrastructure
· Increasing tourist visitation
· Visitor satisfaction
Activities:
Study, design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure
Indicators:
number of visits and visitor satisfaction
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Lead Agency/Partners:
MoEW, Silistra Municipality, international institutions, NGOs, road construction
companies
Duration:
1 year
Budget:
100,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
Municipal budget, international programs, state budget, sponsors Tourism
Associations and Organizations
Action # 13: Restoration and Maintenance of Biological Diversity
Description:
Preserving biological and landscape diversity, as well as cultural and historical
sites while developing ecotourism through:
· Restoration and maintenance of the biological diversity in Srebarna
Maintained Reserve
· Involving the local population in the preservation and maintenance of natural
and historical attractions in Russenski Lom Nature Park and their
interpretation through tourism
Justification:
In Russenski Lom Nature Park there is a need for the conservation, restoration,
and protection of biological diversity to ensure sustainable use of biological
resources, to expand the boundaries of the Nature Park, to develop tourism trails,
to organize a permanent protection policy at each site in accordance with visitation
volumes. Also needed is recreational zoning, development, coordination and
introduction of regimes for cultivation of agricultural land within the Park,
establishment of compost heaps and use of manure, the development, promotion
and introduction of agro-technologies in the private agriculture sector, the
stimulation of specific ecological agriculture and the preservation and renewal of
land resources.
Territorial Scope:
Silistra Municipality (Srebarna Maintained Reserve) and the Russe Region
(Russenski Lom Nature Park)
Strategic Objective(s):
5.1.2, 5.1.5
Expected Results:
Conserving biodiversity and utilizing it for ecotourism development
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Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Activities:
Studying, planning, conservation, restoration and preservation of biodiversity
Indicators:
The visible state of biodiversity
Lead Agency/Partners:
MoEW, Silistra Municipality, international institutions, NGOs, MoEW Russe
RIEW, NGOs
Russenski Lom Nature Park Directorate, Russe Regional Forestry Board, Russe
Regional Administration, Russe RIEW
Duration:
2004-2008
Budget:
20,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
MoEW Environmental Activity Management Enterprise Fund
Action # 14: Reducing the Illegal Felling of Forests along the Danube River
Coastline
Description:
· Ensuring permanent protection to eliminate the illegal felling of forests along
the Danube river coastline
· Eliminating illegal felling and other illegal activities, ensuring permanent
guarding of Krepostta Protected Locale and forest parks Pamuk-Kulak and
Vetren
Justification:
Illegal felling has to be reduced in order to preserve local forests
Territorial Scope:
· From the mouth of Timok river to the end of Skomen island
· Krepostta Protected Locality and forest parks Pamuk-Kulak and Vetren
Strategic Objective(s):
5.1.2
Expected Results:
Reducing illegal felling preserving opportunities for development of ecotourism
products
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Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Activities:
· Studying the situation
· Analysis and development of a strategy
· Exercising efficient control
Indicators:
Improved control of logging activities
Lead Agency/Partners:
MOAF, Vidin Regional Administration, municipal administrations, MOEW, State
Forestry, Vidin Police Department, TA and TO, Bulgarian Hunting and Fishing
Union, NGOs
Budget: 40,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
MoAF, municipal budget, international donors and programs, national programs
Action # 15: Development of a Marketing Strategy for the Development of
Ecotourism Together with Cultural Tourism
Description:
· Development of a marketing strategy for ecotourism development and
promotional materials for cultural and historical monuments within the region
· Development of marketing activities and advertisement for all natural,
cultural and historical sites and of existing accommodation and dining
facilities within Silistra Municipality
Territorial Scope:
Silistra Municipality along the Danube river coast and the islands, in Srebarna
Maintained reserve, and forest parks
Strategic Objective(s):
5.2.5, 5.2.6
Expected Results:
Development of competitive tourism products reaching all markets and consumer
groups
Activities:
Study demand and supply,
Develop products
Active delivery of products
Illustrative Indicators:
· Number and quality of products developed
· Increase in visitation
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· Tourist expenditure and satisfaction levels
Lead Agency/Partners:
The municipalities of Vidin, Novo Selo, Dimovo and Bregovo, TO and TA, NGOs
Silistra Municipality
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Danube River Wetlands ecotourism destination
Duration:
5 years
Budget:
80,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
MoEW, municipal budget, international donors and national programs, Tourism
Associations and Organizations, NGOs
Action # 16: Connecting Ecotourism with Visits to Cultural and Historic
Monuments
Description:
Restoration and conservation of Baba Vida Castle and Ratsiaria
Justification:
Connecting ecotourism with visits to cultural and historic monuments
Territorial Scope:
Vidin and Dimovo Municipalities
Strategic Objective(s):
5.1.2
Expected Results:
Increase of the number of tourists and visitor satisfaction
Activities:
Studying, planning, restoration and conservation
Indicators:
Number of visits and visitor satisfaction
Lead Agency/Partners:
Vidin and Dimovo Municipalities, Tourism Associations and Organizations, scientific
institutions, NGOs
Duration:
2004-2007
Budget:
60,000 Leva
Funding Sources:
Municipal budget, international donors, national programs
Action Plan for ecotourism destination 38
Document Outline