Rural Tourism Development, a Prerequisite for the Preservation of Bulgarian Traditions

1 www.esa-conference.ru Rural tourism development, a prerequisite for the preservation of Bulgarian traditions Teodora Rizova, Chief Assist. Ph. D in Social Sciences New Bulgarian University (Sofia, Bulgaria) The village is the place where agricultural production and related employment hold the most weight. It is the cradle of authentic traditions and cultural practices – they are “reserved” for preserving the experience of cultural, linguistic, and, in general – national identity. The village is not a mass tourist destination. It is an alternative to mass tourism and a place, as well as an environ- ment suitable for different forms of specialized tourism – ecological, mountain, adventure, theme tourism, related to cultural-historical heritage, religion, wine, traditions and local cuisine, ethnography, traditional music and crafts (Art. 28 of the Statute of BAAT). In agricultural and social policy of the European Union rural tourism is seen as a form of diversification of activities and increase farmers' incomes. Keywords: rural tourism, traditions, cultural - historical heritage, traditional music and crafts. The work hereby aims to reveal the perspectives available respective region, while indulging the calmness and infor- to preserve the Bulgarian lifestyle and traditions, through the mality of relationships [1]. development of rural tourism and other alternative forms of The rural tourism in Bulgaria is starting to gain popular- tourism. ity not only among Bulgarians, but also among international tourists. More and more foreign visitors combine the holiday Bulgaria is a country with rich biodiversity – over 3,750 in one of our big, famous resorts with a visit to a Bulgarian varieties of higher plants, of which 763 are listed in the Red village. Data Book of Bulgaria; almost a half of the 750 medicinal With the unique nature and culture with international plants have economic significance; the extraordinary diversity significance, Bulgaria is gaining increasing international of the animal species is internationally acclaimed – 27,000 popularity for its peculiar combination of natural and cultur- invertebrates and 750 species of vertebrates, including unique al heritage – a feature that Bulgarians are justly proud of. local species. Bulgaria’s greatest treasure is the combination of variable The traditional growing of local plant varieties in the pri- preserved nature with precious cultural and historical herit- vate holdings and gardens is a prerequisite for retaining the age, traditions, and lifestyle, and – of course – a gifted, hos- significant variety of ancient primitive varieties and their pitable people. local populations. The number of specially protected areas in With its nine properties (seven of which are cultural and Bulgaria is 866, amounting to 5% of the territory of the state two are historical) registered in the World Heritage List, with with total area of 544395 ha. the thousands of natural and cultural landmarks of local Ecological niches with a huge diversity of the varieties significance, as well as with the fact that 5% of the territory and species have been formed, due to the intermediary geo- has protected area status, Bulgaria possess an attractive graphical location between the Mediterranean areal, the network of natural and cultural resources. Furthermore, this steppe and the European areal, the elevation between the sea diversity of resources is concentrated in a relatively small level and the highest point of about 2900 m, the highly differ- area, which allows the tourist to visit a considerable number ential topography and the diverse soils and hydrological con- of sites within a short period. ditions. The agricultural lands with high nature value are According to other authors, the conditions for developing equally distributed between the plains and the high mountain rural tourism are good, but a thorough study of the resources territories. Almost 34% of the utilized agricultural land is ensuring sustainable development is required. Furthermore, grassland, mostly semi-natural, which is one of the most these authors argue that a diversification in the tourist prod- precious ecosystems in the agricultural landscape. [4] ucts on offer is crucial, and they should meet the international The rural tourism can be generally defined as “tourism standards, and the staff in the specialized tourism need train- which is being developed in country and rural areas” [10]. ing [2]. The concepts about a “rural” area vary from one country In the last few years, there has been a positive trend of to another and from one period to another. Though widely improved interest in the rural tourism; the number of tourists used, the term “rural tourism” is also widely discussed, and who have visited rural areas and used the services provided there is still no unified definition. The rural tourism is com- by this alternative form of tourism has also increased. monly defined as “local”, “alternative”, “agricultural”, The rural tourism is gaining increasing popularity “green”, etc., but anyway different from the mass tourism. among Bulgarian tourists, which encourages more people to The rural lifestyle is characterized with ethnological her- consider developing their own tourist businesses in the rural itage, different architecture, rich folklore, widely diverse culi- regions. The rural tourism is not an individual industry; it is nary traditions, which are all elements of the product “rural dependent on other forms of tourism, such as sea and moun- tourism”. Analyzing and summarizing the information given tain tourism, hunter and cultural tourism. This enables the above, rural tourism can be defined as tourism in the rural inclusion of this sector in combined tours, thus modifying the regions, which satisfies the interests tourists show in the tra- tour itinerary. For example, sea tourism can be combined ditions, lifestyle, culture, agricultural and other specific activi- with a village holiday. This could be beneficial for the resorts, ties, as well as in the historical and cultural heritage of the which can offer their guests visits to nearby villages or other 2 www.esa-conference.ru types of itineraries, which allow the tourists to be acquainted which tourists can be housed. The visitor might participate in with the sights in Bulgaria. agricultural activities, go trekking, go on hikes with horses or The rural tourism allows for providing services satisfying carts, participate in crafting activities such as: wood pro- the hobbies and interests of the visitors, such as photo love, cessing, fishing, textile production, pottery making, weaving, herb gathering, linguistic research, gaining knowledge about blacksmithing, etc.; they can also make a present for a friend the folklore, etc. or a relative, making a handmade pot or piece of textile. The The participants in the realization of this form of tourism retained traditions and ancient production methods are rather are local communities, legislative authorities and representa- impressive and interesting for the tourists, who have decided tives of various economic sectors. Rural tourism aids the de- to try their hand in the rural manufacturing processes. velopment of villages through realizing assistance and in- The most interesting experience for tourists is to vestment programs in this area. prepare their own dinner. They wake up early in the morn- ing, with the roosters’ call, take the animals to the pasture, Rural tourism destinations in Bulgaria pick the fruits and vegetables, which are ready to use, and The Bulgarian village has kept the Bulgarian spirit and work in the garden. By making yoghurt and homemade character, it has also, largely retained the Bulgarian tradi- cheese, they can feel the village spirit. In the evening, having tions generally unchanged. The stay in a traditional Bulgari- eaten what they have prepared themselves, the tourists can an village, however short it might be, provides the tourist calmly go to bed, pleased by themselves and the work done with the unique opportunity to immerse in a lifestyle, connect- during the day. On the next they can participate in the rakia ing the past and the present. The attractive natural environ- distillation or visit the local winery in the villages of ment, the authentic folklore, customs and crafts, the settle- Karaysen, Novo Selo, Slaviantsi, Damyanitsa, Stambolovo, ments with the status of architectural reserves, the traditional Suhindol, etc. Bulgarian cuisine and the hospitality of the Bulgarian peo- In many places in Bulgaria, various actions from the vil- ple, make the village holiday even more preferred and desired lage lifestyle are offered to visitors, such as: short programs by visitors. like One Day in the Village, or a holiday with a longer stay. The tourist destinations for village tourism are the are- The villages in the Rhodope Mountains and the Balkan as/regions, rich in sights/events, forming the product of this Mountains offer old crafts, kept in their authentic form – one alternative form of tourism: (a) village lifestyle (way of life) can watch life the making of objects of carved word, making and communication; (b) agricultural activities; (c) local tradi- fleecy rugs and carpets, crotchet-work, etc. The tourists are tions (customs, rituals, etc.); (d) culture, art (folklore); (e) cul- given the chance to gain certain craftsman skills through tural and historical resources; (f) natural and environmental short courses. If the tourists want, they may surprise their resources. friends

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