Roundtable on challenges to sustainable development in tourism, conservation of natural, cultural and historic heritage

The meeting was attended by representatives of tourism organizations – Bulgarian Chamber of Tourism, Bulgarian Association of Travel Agent, Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association, Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism, tourism enterprises, representatives of environmental organizations, and Coalition “Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria”, Initiative Committee for Civilian Control over the Protection of Cultural Heritage, as well as members of academia – faculty from the University of Sofia, the University of Forestry, and the International Business School.

Three presentations at the meeting analyzed the context and challenges in each respective sphere: cultural heritage preservation, nature conservation, and tourism development. Sharing many years’ experience by their organizations, attendees reached consensus regarding the challenges to tourism in Bulgaria. They placed emphasis on challenges stemming from overdevelopment in resort areas, the appropriation of national resources, the targeting of insolvent tourists, and the increasingly negative reputation of Bulgarian resorts. Legislative issues in the Law on tourism and the Law for the development of the Black Sea coast were also recognized. Discussion also focused on institutional challenges and those related to the planning and development of tourism.

Participants converged, in terms of key guidance for future collaboration, on improving service quality in tourism and its complete harmonization with natural conservation and the preservation of cultural and historic heritage, in order to make Bulgaria a favored destination for quality tourism. There was consensus that tourism development should be pursued by diversifying tourism services and increasing the utilization of existing facilities, and not by constructing new ones. Sustainable development of the tourism sector is in line with global and Eurpean policy priorities. Incentivizing the sustainable development of specialized tourism services by balancing modern infrastructure with authentic nature and cultural values.

A working group was created as a result, comprising representatives of some of the attending organizations, which will elaborate the joint guidance for further action and plan for addressing the identified challenges.

We believe that this meeting is the beginning of a successful collaboration that will ease the sustainable development of tourism in Bulgaria in harmony with natural conservation and the preservation of cultural and historic heritage.