"PRO EXTOUR" project: Support for cultural heritage on the example of developed tourism in the countries of the Black Sea region

Subsidy Contract No. BSB 1145

Tourism is a great stimulus for the development and growth of the state's economy, which simultaneously contributes to the creation of new jobs.

"PRO EXTOUR" is a project that provides a qualified and competitive workforce, using the rich natural and cultural resources of the Black Sea region, However, problems such as climate change, rapid depletion of resources, and labor shortages are hindering all of this. In addition, in 2020 the pandemic brought to light problems for the tourism sector that, being of a global nature, required new solutions.

The purpose of the "PRO EXTOUR" project is to promote professional tourism in the states of the Black Sea region, becoming a path of sustainable development, using and combining the cultural heritage of local peoples, and offering innovative solutions and cooperation.

The project is a joint initiative of a number of universities, the members of which are Varna Institute of Management (Bulgaria), Yerevan State University (Armenia), University of Thessaloniki (Greece), as well as Georgian Art and Culture Center (Georgia) and Culinary Arts and Hospitality Association (Bulgaria).

The goals of the project are:

• • Assessment of needs and action plan for the promotion of professional tourism in the Black Sea region,
  • Activities to be carried out based on the heritage and culture: stock of business models,
  • An online repository of professional tourism tools and resources,
  • A cross-border network of Black Sea centers of professional tourism,
  • International conferences and information technology (IT) fairs.

Project duration: 01.06.2020 - 30.11.2022 (Black Sea region: supported by ENI CBC 2014-2020 program)

Project budget: EUR 913,380.00.

We kindly invite you to attend the conference discussion organized within the framework of the "PRO EXTOUR" project, which will take place on June 11, 2021, at 10:00, at the YSU Faculty of Geography and Geology (auditorium  N419).

During the seminar, the ways of increasing the level of internationalization and publicization of RA's intangible cultural heritage, as well as the ways of creating an international touristic cultural image for RA, the need, vision, and goals of experiential tourism based on cultural heritage will be presented. During the session, the opinions, perceptions, and suggestions of the beneficiaries regarding the prioritization of experiential tourism in the countries of the Black Sea Basin will also be discussed.

Tour operators, representatives of travel agencies, tour guides, managers of cultural heritage objects, organizers of festivals, and representatives of local self-government bodies are expected among the participants of the discussion.

Agenda

10.00-10.30 Registration

10.30-10.45 Presentation of the project and its goals

10.45-11.00 Presentation of the needs assessment report, discussion

11.00-11.30 Regional business trip program discussion

11.30-12.30 Group works

12.30-13.00 Coffee break

13.00-14.15 Discussion of group works

14.15 – 15.15 Q & A session

15.15 – 15.30 Coffee break

15.30-16.30 Final discussion

Brief description of the project

"PRO EXTOUR" is a project that aims to promote experiential tourism as a sustainable development path for tourism businesses in the Black Sea Basin countries, valuing the potential of indigenous heritage and culture, innovative solutions, and cross-border cooperation. The project is a joint initiative of three universities with applied research experience in tourism: Varna University of Management (Bulgaria), Yerevan State University (Armenia), and University of Thessaloniki (Greece), as well as the cultural network organization Georgian Art and Culture Center (Georgia) and the regional hospitality cluster, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Association (Bulgaria).