Integrating Bulgaria-Greece cross-border significance historical and archeological assets into one sustainable thematic tourist destination

The cross border area has to present significant and unique importance cultural, historical and archaeological heritage. Amphipoli demonstrates a unique set of archeological assets of cross-border as well as world–wide significance. Recent large–scale archaeological excavations in Amphipoli, have gained a world-wide reputation creating a huge potential on increasing tourists flows and revenues in the area. Blagoevgrad is also demonstrating a cross-border significance cultural heritage with a strong perspective on developing to a sustainable tourist destination. At the same time cross border archeological and historical sites and assets are isolated from each other, making very difficult for the visitor to realize the “puzzle” of our cultural map.

Taking into account the cross border need, the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports/General Directorate of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage (LB), which are responsible for the ethnic historical and cultural preservation of archaeological assets, came in touch with other 6 partners in order to negotiate the common purpose, objectives and project's details. In addition, Municipality of Amphipoli (PB3),  Region of Central Macedonia (PB6) and Municipality of Blagoevgrad (PB5) are the authorized organizations in the targeted areas. Moreover, Ministry of Interior (PB2) has the power to create a strong and sustainable network via publicity actions as it supervises all the north Greece. Faculty of Arts of South-West University (PB4) and Life Long Learning Level 2 Center of Region of Central Macedonia (PB7) will undertake the education of tourism stakeholders (tourism personnel, unemployed etc.). All partners have decided that they need to act soon in order to contribute to the preservation of unique historical, archaeological and natural assets and the establishment of a cross-border world class tourist destination.

The main objective of the project is to preserve historical, archaeological and cultural assets of cross-border area in order to develop an integrated cross-border thematic destination will allow to improve tourists mobility within cross border area and achieve sustainable tourism development utilizing cross-border significance historical heritage. This will be achieved through small infrastructure interventions in order to be rehabilitated the archaeological findings. Moreover, the development of a new approach on managing and integrating cultural assets will indicate a number of actions and good practices (workshops, training, events, street events, social networking), where some of them will be pilot implemented in Amphipoli’s and Blagoevgrad’s area.
 

Publicity events and conferences, website, film, promotion campaigns and material will help to inform general public about project's objectives. In the long-term the project will result on increasing international visibility of CB thematic destination and better tourists flows.