Trakia Journal of Sciences, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp 31-40, 2008 Copyright © 2008 Trakia University Available online at: http://www.uni-sz.bg ISSN 1312-1723 (print) ISSN 1313-3551 (online) Original Contribution SUSTAINABILITY OF RURAL TOURISM IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF

Y. Yarkova*, B. Stoykova

Department of Regional Development, Trakia University, , Bulgaria

ABSTRACT We describe rural tourism based on sustainability. We select parameters for developing a model of sustainable rural tourism. Thus the following indicators of sustainability in rural tourism are: tourist planning, number of visitors (tourists) in a given destination, natural and cultural attractions, involvement of local population, number of jobs opened by rural tourism, contribution of rural tourism to local economy, environmental factors, training and qualification of labour force, satisfaction from the development of rural tourism, security for tourists. Our conclusions include the following: 1. Rural tourism has not reached the expected level of development in the studied region; 2. Marketing approach is needed in developing complex tourist products according to the needs of various segments on the tourist market; 3. Natural, geographic, human, physical and economic factors of development are available in the studied region; 4. Sheep- and horse-breeding are a prerequisite for using the existing natural resources, creating traditional local products; 5. A problem that needs to be overcome is the distinction of people from their rural identity.

Key words: sustainability, development, rural tourism.

INTRODUCTION from the point of view of its sustainability by selecting parameters on the basis of which to In Western Europe rural tourism is one of the develop a model for sustainable rural tourism. growing tourist segments. More and more According to data of BAAT (Bulgarian Western Europeans prefer to spend their Association for Alternative Tourism) (1), holiday in countryside places (Swarbook, nearly three hundred and forty thousand 1996)1 Bulgarians and 220 thousand foreigners have In Bulgaria rural tourism gained chosen rural tourism in our country in 2007. popularity comparatively recently – only at The total income from rural tourism is 65 the end of last century. The development of million Euro for 2007 and turnover from rural tourism as a priority in the alternative toursim - 130 million leva. And diversification of rural economy is a total turnover in tourism in our country is 2.5 prerequisite for the revival of the Bulgarian billion leva. People who have chosen the village and for sustainable development of alternative were for recreation and comprise rural areas. Diversification of economic 0.5% of the total number of visitors in the activities, including the development of country for last year (2). As a whole the tourism, is one of the priority spheres of number of tour operators offering alternative financial support for Bulgaria by EU funds. tourism both for foreigners and for Bulgarians

has increased. According to Francesko BULGARIA – DESTINATION FOR Frandjali, Secretary General of the World RURAL TOURISM Tourist Organization, Bulgarian tourist The objective of the present paper is to agencies have to put greater effort on cultural, characterize rural tourism in one of the main rural and ecological tourism (3). destinations for rural tourism in our country, The advantages of Bulgaria in rural tourism are determined by: the clean nature, the varied landscape, the availability of * Correspondence to: Yuliyana Yarkova, numerous natural and other places of interest, Assoc.Prof Yuliyana Yarkova, PhD, Dept.of Regional Development, AF, TrakiaUniversity, the unique culture, hospitable population Student Campus, Stara Zagora 6000, Bulgaria; motivated to offer tourist services. According Tel.: +359 42 699 433, E-mail: yu_yarkova@uni- to survey made by Spanish and Bulgarian sz.bg specialists in 2005 the position of Bulgaria as Trakia Journal of Sciences, Vol.6, No. 3, 2008 31 YARKOVA J., et al. an international rural tourism destination is Atanasova /2004/ the greatest is the based on local culture, natural environment concentration of individual sites in the South and national cuisine (4). central region – the Rhodopes. In 2004 there are around 300 rural households in our country that develop rural RURAL TOURISM IN THE RHODOPES tourism (0.3 per cent of rural households). /SMOLYAN MUNICIPALITY/2 Over 70% of them are on protected territories Some basic characteristics of geographical or near them, in national parks, natural and features, historical and cultural heritage, cultural places of interest (5). Although the population, and economics have been studied. overall assessment is that rural tourism is in a Basic parameters related to sustainable growing phase in its life cycle, the above development of tourism have been outlined. study points out the obstacles for its faster The analysis of sites in the Rhodopes development: lack of sufficient young and reveals that along with the North central vital people in rural areas, low educational region and especially the Central Balkan, the level of people, social and public conditions Rhodopes stand out as a region with best that do not comply with contemporary developed rural tourism. That accelerated requirements; bad state of social and technical development is due in addition to the natural infrastructure in villages (roads, features of the region, the interesting cultural, communications, tourist paths); significant architectural, historical and other sights of part of the people directly employed in the interest, and also to the people in the tourist business do not have the relevant Rhodopes. The harsh conditions of life, the qualification; poor knowledge of foreign change in agricultural specialization, high languages, unawareness of the basic business level of unemployment and lack of mechanisms, no culture in providing service; alternatives for employment resulted in inertia in the behaviour of people concerning mobilization of the population, using the best their preferences for spending the holiday, qualities and entrepreneurship of a great part including holiday at the seaside are some of of the active population in the Rhodopes. On the most attractive; still poor development of the other part, the suitable conditions for rural advertising activity – books, brochures, and other types of tourism attracted the albums, films advertising that type of tourism. attention of people of enterprise from other Some conclusions about the regions in the country who establish rural significance of rural tourism in our country tourism sites in the Rhodopes. These cases can be made on the basis of the results of an when the owners are not local people are also inquiry held in 2004 by a team of the Institute important for the economic and social on Agricultural Economics led by senior development of the region – condition for scientific researcher Maria Atanasova, PhD. employment of some of the Rhodope people (5) According to its results there is desire for are created, some of the produced agricultural practicing that type of business, but that products are marketed under better conditions, motivation is not sufficiently supported by the value of existing natural and other types of real practical results and in its turn that resources increase (6). Subsequent demotivates the initial ambition. Basic cause development shows, for example, how in the about it is that some of the inquired people are county of Smolyan for one year only rapid entrepreneurs for whom tourism is main increase has been observed: а) the means of business and that business has offered so far accommodation – by 59%; b) the number of poor opportunity to provide support for the beds – by 18.6%; increase of the number of family. For the other inquired persons (64%) stays overnight – by 9.3%. The increased this business is additional to their agricultural volume of the tourist product is explained by business and it is formed as agricultural the availability of the internationally tourism but still an increase in the level of renowned resort , but one can also satisfying the needs for support of the village seek connection with the development of rural household is expected. Rural tourism in our country in its individual form is offered in village rooms or 2 The study has been carried out within guest houses, family or other small hotels, the framework of project “Research on villas and an area of summer houses. The the opportunities and perspectives for collective form of offering is in complexes that conform to the main characteristics of alternative employment in rural regions”, villages in Bulgaria (compactness, regional Ministry of Education and Science, 2006, self-containment). According to a study by Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, Stara Zagora 32 Trakia Journal of Sciences, Vol.6, No. 3, 2008 YARKOVA J., et al. tourism in the villages in the region. potatoes, beans, onions, etc., and about 15 % Conditions for rural tourism in the Rhodopes are used as pastures that are mowed for hay. improve through the participation of some The available land is cultivated manually or municipalities in project 2003-2004 with animals. “Sustainable development of rural areas” From archive materials (9) it is evident /SDRA/, which is a joint initiative of the that the main occupation of people is tobacco Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, UN growing, masonry and rough processing of Programme for development of eleven pilot timber (cutting and carving). Sheep breeding municipalities. Three of the participating is one of the oldest occupations in these municipalities from the Rhodope region villages. As early as the 17th and 18th century develop pilot projects related to “Sustainable sheep and the products made from them tourism – the future of ”, “Let’s jointly (skins, wool, cheese, butter, meat) were make a dream! Creating integrated tourist exported for the big international market - products” – municipality of , Istanbul. In the 18th century shepherds from “Ecotourism – new opportunities” – the Rhodopes started breeding goats of which municipality of Kirkovo (7). In 2008 a project the famous Rhodope goat hair fleecy rugs are started for the first eco route in the region3, woven. The final close down of that the 160-kilometer route starts from the village occupation took place with the of Hvoyna in the Central Rhodopes and will collectivization of mountainous agriculture at reach the Greek village of Paranesti. It will be the end of the 1950s. achievable within 7-9 days. The revival of sheep breeding 3 years The manifested potential for ago not only creates prerequisites for opening development of rural tourism in that region jobs, but also for using neglected pastures and gives us reason to begin a study for meadows. Processing sheep milk into specific developing a model of sustainable tourism the high-quality dairy products can also provide bases of which are laid by the present paper. jobs for unemployed people and use some of In practice tourism more than other activities the abandoned solid buildings. Wool can be is closely related to nature and the heritage used for revival of local craftsmanship created in the regions, the existing places of (weaving, knitting), which will be one of the interest. That is why it is important that its tourist attractions. future corresponds with the harmonious and There is a possibility for developing sustainable development of the territory and equine tourism in the region (mountain riding) society. This is one of the reasons when as part of a specific tourist product of rural projects are developed for tourism to tourism. implement full and competent diagnostics of There are private hotels in the villages the territory (8). (“Manolykovska house”, “Kokovi” villa) and Because of that we have organized several taverns for its guests. However, they direct interviews in Smolyan municipality. are not constantly open and are used only with The inquiries have involved: households – 40 preliminary bookings. Land has been pcs.; population - 74 people, tourists - 23 (20 purchased in the villages by a Spanish Bulgarians and 3 Englishmen), business units company, planning to build 40 houses for its (3) and local authorities in villages in fellow-countrymen. An architectural design Smolyan municipality. The population in for construction of another holiday village studied villages is from 30 to 200 people. with 40 houses is also ready, for Spanish tourists. The construction of Cassiopea CONDITIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF holiday village of 15 houses has started. In the RURAL TOURISM IN THE STUDIED Raykovski livadi /2-3 km from Pamporovo/ REGION there is a holiday village with 20 family houses and it is planned to build a new village Economics with the same capacity. The most significant for the economics of the villages is forestry and sheep-breeding. Craftsmanship Households own 3-4 decares (0.3-0.4 Historically, as early as 14-15 century and ha) of land on average. Currently the basic throughout the entire Turkish rule the region problem is that over 80% of the land is not has been famous for crafts (packsaddling, used. On 5% of the land used they grow cooperage, homespun trade, masonry) and trade (groceries). After 1912, and especially 3 which is at the amount of 285 000 leva. after World War I occupational conditions in and is basically funded by PHARE the Rhodopes changed radically, crafts began Trakia Journal of Sciences, Vol.6, No. 3, 2008 33 YARKOVA J., et al. to decline, and the need of education not in use and are victims of self-destruction. increased. Solid waste is collected in beaver type All households inquired during the containers of the Municipal cleaning company study declared skills in various crafts: 95% of in Smolyan, and done twice a month. The the women can knit, some can spin (70%) and assessment of the population according to the others can weave (60%). Men declare skills in inquiry is that this is not sufficient due to initial processing of stone and wood, masonry piling up and overflowing of waste out of and other building works. A greater part containers. (69%) of the inquired does not show any interest and readiness to practice them due to Transportation services disease, old age or non-assuredness that this Transportation services (to the municipal would bring some income. Some of the town) are twice daily (morning and evening), inquired households declare skills in the which is not enough according to some people sphere of folk medicine. A considerable part in the villages (62% of the inquired). of men are interested in hunting and fishing. However, the rest of the inquired (38%) think

that due to existing tradition to travel in a car Infrastructure that accidentally goes to town and the ever An important prerequisite for stimulation of rising prices of transportation services, and rural tourism is the state of infrastructure also due to the limited number of travellers, it which makes villages easily accessible. The is pointless to have an extra run of the public first, most important and obligatory condition bus. of rural tourism is the existence of a well- developed technical and social infrastructure. Trade Currently not more than 30% replacement of Trade in villages is organized in one grocer’s the old water supply pipes had been done with shop of the Regional wide-range cooperative, PVC. However, some of the inquired (42%) Smolyan, kiosks and free fruit and vegetable complained of poor quality of water. Some of trade (in wagons). Both, according to local them (40%) had concerns about the sufficient people and the conducted study, indicate water supply in the future after holiday increased prices of basic commodities by 15% villages are built in the region. over those in Smolyan on average. After the privatization of the Power The greatest is the dissatisfaction of Distribution Company in Smolyan people people from health services. Villages are complain of unstable electricity supply system visited once in fortnight by a general when the weather deteriorates and repair practitioner seeing patients for two hours. An works are delayed. improvement of health and prevention service Roads connecting the bigger road will not only meet the needs of local people, networks with villages currently require but will also guarantee greater security of serious repair due to the devastating natural tourists. elements in recent years. Within the village borders there are still unfinished streets, Cultural life which mayors account for by the need first to complete sewerage network but lack funds for The region becomes a cultural centre of the that. Important for the village people are some renowned Ilinden convocation (20 July) in the internal road problems. village of Levochevo. It is the reason for The sewerage system is not completely revival of a number of historical sites and finished in all places, but a waste water buildings and for building new sites related to treatment plant also need to be built, which style of life and history. For the period 2002- would meet both important public utility 2004 the convocation became a centre of a requirements and would expand the competition for young folk singers and opportunities for building small processing dancers and talents from whole of Bulgaria. and craftsman workshops and plants. The competition is held under the auspices of Some of the houses have been declared the Folk singer Nadezhda Hvoyneva, presided architectural monuments by the National by Professor Dora Hristova, conductor of institute on cultural monuments (State “The Mystery of Bulgarian voices”. Gazette, issue 35, 1974), and some for historical houses, as well. Some churches and Peculiarities of recreations related to the chapels have also been declared architectural rural region monuments. Some of the people living in the nearby city Villages have some solid buildings currently 34 Trakia Journal of Sciences, Vol.6, No. 3, 2008 YARKOVA J., et al. have relatives in the villages, so that visits (improvement of infrastructure, development there have always been an active form of rural of agriculture and promotion of the standard tourism. But incentives here are different (to of living as a whole) and on the other hand, visit the relatives) from those of rural tourism the interests of tourists (providing traditional proper (getting acquainted with farmer’s way rural atmosphere, which involves a number of of life, learning more about local traditions components). The questions in the inquiry and crafts). That is why for this group of closely related to rural tourism aim at finding: visitors to the villages there is no demand of the intensity of the tourist flow, planning the an organized form of rural tourism. These tourist activity, the satisfaction from rural tourists do not contribute considerably for the tourism in the region of the various groups of economic development of the villages visited participants in the inquiry, qualification of by them. Moreover, the opportunity to visit employees in the tourist branch, including in that destination restricts their seeking a similar the tourist business the latest trends in using form of recreation in other regions. Their need alternative energy sources. Therefore the of contact with rural surrounding is satisfied indicators of sustainability we suggest for with staying with their relatives without any studying the sustainability of rural tourism costs at all (except for travel expenses). That involve: is why in most cases they are not ready to spend money for similar recreations in other Tourist planning rural areas. It is inherent in the municipal plan of Part of the Bulgarian families have development of Smolyan municipality, but is small summer houses where they spend their in an initial stage of its development. In the weekends and some of their summer holidays. tourist destinations themselves (according to The main incentive is relaxation and information supplied by local authorities). production of fruit and vegetables for their One of the reasons for that is the lack of own consumption. Of course, that type of administrative capacity and also lack of tourism contributes to the development of financial resources. The cooperation practice infrastructure and services (retail trade) in the among the various rural tourism destinations given regions. The problem is that owners of is not fully developed yet. summer houses have different infrastructure Typical about the Programme for and social needs from local people. development of tourism on a municipal level

is that it is focused on the economic aspects of Sustainability of rural tourism development, disregarding future ecological The basis of sustainable tourism is the concept or social and cultural consequences of the of reconciliation, non-defiance, combining development, which is important in adhering requirements of ecology, economics and to the sustainability requirements. society. This concept is very topical with regard to tourism and in particular relating to Number of visitors (tourists) in a given rural and agricultural tourism. These are its destination basic resource. For its successful development The objective is to determine the existence of tourism needs people as labour resource and stress for the local communities. Of the as consumers of the tourist services. It is respondents to the question about the necessary to establish dialogue between assessment of the number of tourists 72% proponents and economic agents of the three think that the number of tourists is still less main values: economic development and than the optimum. Typical is seasonal progress, preserving inherited resources and orientation of the demand, without additional local population (8). social stress. That is a positive factor but since Sustainability as a notion comprising the demand for the rural tourist product in the economic, ecological and social and cultural region is still low, the above parameters factors requires when studying sustainability cannot be regarded as a favourable of rural tourism to include the determination sustainability parameter. of a whole system pf parameters. When reviewing the sustainable future development Natural and cultural attractions of rural we have to take into account the interests of all figures on that The geographical characteristics of the studied market, because a prerequisite for sustainable villages reveal that the northern mountainous development of rural tourism is the highlands keep the villages from cold winds simultaneous consideration on one hand, the and the low southern uplands give an access interests of local people in a long-term period of the warm Mediterranean influence. Hence Trakia Journal of Sciences, Vol.6, No. 3, 2008 35 YARKOVA J., et al. the climate here is mild and moderate, with towards the end of the 1950s, after comparatively warm winter and cool summer. cooperation of mountainous agriculture and The average altitude is 900-1000 metres. In a the subsequent industrialization and historical reference at the State archive in urbanization of life in Bulgaria resulted in Smolyan (10), about the Silicon-tuberculosis decline of cultural and economic life in the sanatorium /village of Levochevo/, the results region. Along with these main reasons, an of a study are quoted according to which there important factor for outgoing migration are is negative ionization in the region (6000 the delayed public works (road and transport negative ions/cu.cm.), humidity 60-70%, as connections, telephone services, sewerage, well as a number of favourable temperature etc.), implemented after the depopulation conditions. These natural and climatic process. conditions make the villages in the region A favourable phenomenon is that in especially suitable for balneological and recent years (after 2000) a reverse process of resort-tourist business. The region is famous settlement started in the villages – citizens for clean natural environment; hospitality of from Smolyan and other places in the region local people; specific cuisine; typical rural settled, as well as families from other parts of way of life; preserved traditions and heritage. Bulgaria bought houses for recreation; On the territories of the villages there Englishmen bought houses with the intention are archaeological sites of Thracian-Roman, to settle down with their families. Byzantium and Slavonic-Bulgarian origin, a Of all inquired households, 61% witness to human life since very ancient times consisted of one member (mainly widows, (11). The strongest evidence are the roads that widowers and single, 38% are of two pass though it: the great Thracian road, called members (mainly an old couple), 10% are of Yantaren, over ten meridional roads three members. But villages become very connecting the Maritsa lowland with the lively on holiday occasions and in the summer Mediterranean plain, some secondary roads when people come back for recreation in the providing the inner life in the mountain. home places. Population doubles from tourists In present-day Smolyan municipality coming for recreation and owners of old there are remains of ancient fortresses – houses who had migrated. Aetos, Turluka, Podvis, and Sakarka. The greater part of households dwells Especially interesting is the Sakarka fortress in detached houses. The reluctance of some (Stone mountain), located on the eponymous elderly people to leave their houses and to go peak. On its northern part there is a small to live with relatives of theirs in the town can chapel “Saint Nicholas”, where in slave times be a reason for more and more frequent return the shepherds and men from Levochevo, of their relatives to the village. The active Sokolovo and Momchilovtsi used to slaughter population in the studied villages is under a sacrificial animal for their successful return 40%. from the Mediterranean lands. With the described situation the Supporters of the spiritual culture of preference of some local people to sell their people in the course of many centuries are the houses to people from towns seeking an mediaeval Christian monastery “Saint opportunity for recreation in natural Nicholas” on Sakarka peak and the church environment or who had decided to protect “Saints Peter and Paul, The Apostles”. dying villages is quite natural. Although these However the share of old architectural people are not local people by their origin, style decreases more and more in the studied they take part in the development of rural places, which is related to the interest of local tourist business and help the survival and people to build and maintain houses with development of the place. They have to be urban comfort. accepted as local people when this parameter The availability of the registered is reported since their goals, intentions and protected areas gives more chance to attract involvement are similar to these of the local visitors. Areas protected in the locality are the inhabitants. bases for development of rural tourism in the adjacent villages. The greater the share of Number of jobs created by rural tourism protected areas means a greater prerequisite Since demand on the rural tourism market is for sustainability in all aspects – ecological, not big, currently it does not create many jobs. economic and social. In the studied villages 7 people are employed

in rural tourism. This parameter can be Involvement of local people improved through diversification of The threatening depopulation of villages attractions and services. One of the inquired 36 Trakia Journal of Sciences, Vol.6, No. 3, 2008 YARKOVA J., et al. companies offers mountain horse riding with Since with rural tourism many local people marches (3-5 days) with “Rhodope barbecue” are involved without tourist education, a provided. About 1/5 of the inquired local significant part of people directly employed in people get extra income by offering beds for the tourist business do not have the relevant staying of tourists overnight, but in 60% of qualification. They have poor knowledge of the cases these stays are occasional and not foreign languages, are not aware of the basic regulated. Inquired companies with houses business mechanisms, there is not a culture of offered specially for rural tourism have service, etc. weekly booked weekend places and almost Rural mountainous regions, as is the 60-day full bookings of beds, which in our studied one, have extremely poor opinion is a sign of unfavourable level of demographic parameters (over 50% of the occupancy of the established long-term assets people are aged over 60), lack of sufficient in rural tourism. number of young and vital people, low population in educational culture, etc. (12). Contribution of rural tourism to local BAAT reports that the poor age structure of economy population in the mountainous tourism regions deteriorates sharply the quality of the It is comparatively low for the studied rural offered service. The diversity of services is destination with regard to the registered still poor and many owners of well furnished financial income. That is partially accounted houses think that showing a sheep, a cow and for by the available grey economy (very often offering cheese on a tile exhausts rural rural tourism is practiced s an unofficial lifestyle. business). There are no data about actual income from rural tourism and that prevents Satisfaction from the development of rural the collection of sufficient information about areas the economic diversification in a given region. At this stage the development of rural tourism For the inquired business units one could say improves the quality of life mainly by that there is not sufficient satisfaction (they providing wider personal contacts, motivating give a good mark) from the development of people to take better care of their rural tourism. Main reasons about that are: environment, by purchasing local food and great differences between expected and actual souvenirs, creating prerequisites for including profit; poor growth of the sector; bureaucracy; the region in national development projects. insufficient support from the government; In order to achieve that goal, it is compulsory insufficient marketing and business skills of to be familiar with the real problems of each the local people; lack of national demand of zone of the studied territory in order to the rural tourist product. Local people substantiate integrated strategies for the future themselves also give a good assessment for development of the local community. That the development of rural tourism in their definition engages local managing bodies to villages, but only from the point of view of create opportunities for prosperity on their the number of visitors on the occasion of territory by preserving and further sustainable specific attractive events in the region. development of the adjoining environment, On the other hand inquiries show that culture, crafts, history, etc. usually tourists are satisfied with their tourist experience. There is relatively high share of Environmental factors tourists who have visited rural tourism destinations more than once. The problem is They are often neglected in the plans for related to the overall low level of demand: development of rural tourism. Even when regardless of how much consumers are attempts are made for optimizing waste satisfied (at least within a short period), their management, it is aimed at the most visited demand at this stage cannot provide tourist destinations with most urgent sustainability for the visited regions. Some of ecological issues. The inclusion of renewable tourists (40%) define the product as unvaried power sources is not a component of the and divided. development of rural tourism. The strict The opinion of inquired foreign tourists ecological policy of the European Union is unanimous that proposals for trips and influences the processes of economic village houses offered on international tourist development in our country which will favour fairs and on the Internet, are very attractive the ecological balance in rural tourism. and the greater part of hosts are extremely

hospitable; the food that guest houses offer Training and qualification of the labour force has excellent taste. However, tourists cannot Trakia Journal of Sciences, Vol.6, No. 3, 2008 37 YARKOVA J., et al. participate a lot in the life of visited villages. depopulation (14). The best idea would be to learn more about 3. For villages in the studied region there are the renowned Bulgarian folk songs and their natural climatic, geographic, human, performance. The unique character of certain physical and economic factors for aspects of rural life is not sufficiently development of tourism, including rural advertised and promoted. For certain niches in tourism: the Rhodope mountain has had rural tourism it is good to develop and will have effect on the economic, international market – such as bird watching, social, ecological and cultural ecological or luxury stay at rehabilitation development of villages; the proximity of centres. the Pamporovo resort and its development It turns out that foreign tourists are will put fresh life into villages as resort mostly interested in two types of rural tourism holiday centres; there is a potential of in Bulgaria: а) staying in regions of popular unemployed who can be employed for the tourist destinations (motivated by the future development of rural tourism; some considerably lower prices); b) in regions of of inhabitants in retirement age can also famous folk fairs. The development of other be attracted for the cause of tourism by forms of rural tourism (active recreation in enriching the tourism product through natural surrounding or participation in their involvement in various demo farming activities) is still in an early stage of attractions of crafts. development. 4. The development of sheep and horse According to Menno Juastra breeding is a prerequisite for using (programme coordinator of projects for existing natural resources, for creating ecological and rural tourism) foreign tourists traditional local products, for have to be convinced to stay longer in development of specific tourist products Bulgaria by maintaining low prices of stays and attractions. and offering secondary services as well – such 5. One can expect the issue of sustainability as one-day walking trips, meals on the farm if the region gets densely populated due to ("Table dТhote"), fishing day or other trips, the intensive development of the complex singing and crafts classes (13). form of rural tourism, which may result in negative effects of tourism. CONCLUSIONS 6. A problem that needs to be overcome is the distinction of people from their rural 1. Although rural tourism in the studied identity. It is hard for people to find their region has a potential for being one of the place in the new economic and social most efficient tools for regional order. The spirit of cooperation and development, it hasn’t reached the mutual trust dies away and the role of expected level of development. Main households as an environment for social reasons for that are: underdeveloped communication subsides. institutional framework; unfavourable

financial situation; backwardness in the RECOMMENDATION development of these regions; poor interest on behalf of professional tourist 1. The establishment and maintenance of organizations (rural tourism does not ecohotels and the offering of meals promise great profits); aging of rural cooked from ecological products is also population; no business experience of among the most fashionable and rural population; not fairly good image of expensive natural experiences. The tourist village holidays among Bulgarian product that includes getting acquainted population, i.e. comparatively cheap, but with local flora and fauna, development of not so attractive. social and youth tourism, looking at local 2. Some attractions of rural tourism such as craft activities, participation in the local participation in farmer’s activities and convention held, participation in involvement in housewife’s family life are preparing local dishes and using the not so well developed yet. This means experience of local people in hunting, that there is a need of a marketing fishing, collecting herbs and preparing approach in developing complicated folk medicine remedies in enriching the tourist products according to the needs of local tourist product. various segments of the tourist market. 2. The perspective for development of Moreover, the diversification of all these tourism necessitates the establishing of activities will preserve the vitality of the commercial sites complying with the region and will reduce the risk of needs of the expanding market, improving 38 Trakia Journal of Sciences, Vol.6, No. 3, 2008 YARKOVA J., et al. and increasing sites for hotel- and and is extremely important as a factor for restaurant-keeping. That is related to successful functioning (15). turning local companies into beneficiaries 2. Acquiring language skills for improving on programmes for development of rural contacts with foreign tourists. areas. 8. Increasing the capacity of local 3. The development of traditional sheep- management for self-organization and breeding has to be integrated in various participation in programmes and projects forms of rural tourism. That means for funding local sustainable regional production of ecological and delicious development and participation in diary and meat products; production of organizing local traditional and new hand-made and crafts articles from wool events – conventions, festivals, fairs, etc. and skins – clothes, souvenirs, etc.; 9. Creating expedient forms of national and 4. The development of horse-breeding has to international cooperation and exchange of be based on the idea for expanding equine good practices for development of rural tourism in the region as a component in tourism. In that respect we have to use all rural tourism activities. possible means for approachment of 5. Developing information consultancy, adjacent villages to provide better and educational and promotion work by equal conditions for living and recreation. establishment of a computer information 10. Integrating rural tourism into centre with internet access. On one hand development of other forms of alternative this is a condition for efficient tourism, including voluntary tourism implementation of the strategy for (‘voluntourism’). development of rural tourism, and on the 11. Facilitating the access of entrepreneurs in other hand this activity will serve as rural and agricultural tourism, especially training specialists on site needed for the as far as bank guarantees are concerned, branch. grace period and interest rates (16). 6. Motivating the population for restoring 12. Intensification and improvement of the and preserving their rural identity by forms of advertising and enhancing the maintaining rural lifestyle and way of life image of the region as a reliable and (architectural and interior look of houses, secure destination by using Internet crafts, family-type farming and animal- advertisement, one can even expect breeding, culinary traditions, style of greater interest from tourists from abroad. clothing and speaking, church holidays 13. Organizing research and profound and traditions, etc.). This will place the assessment on the basis of sustainability rich Rhodope culture in the basis of living indicators defined. Better information and and that will inevitably provoke the understanding of these problems will attractiveness of the region. facilitate planning and development of 1. Acquiring special knowledge by local rural tourism to satisfy the needs of people. The requirements of clients stakeholders (local people, tourists, interested in rural tourism raise the need businessmen, ecologists). of acquiring more skills to communicate, to tell interesting facts about processes REFERENCES related to agricultural production, the 1. http://www.posoka.com/what_new/e2666. lifestyle and traditions of the place, html date natural sights of interest and also cultural 2. Rumen Draganov, member of the Board and other monuments (15). of Managers of BAAT, quoted by 7. Employees in rural tourism need to know “Monitor” newspaper. the laws and other legal regulatory 3. Rural tourism in Bulgaria. Odyssey documents that regulate the tourist Magazine, issues 3, 10 & 11, 2003. activity and to some extent of rural 4. Vázquez, J. L., Alvarez, R., Georgiev, I. tourism. The good knowledge of legal and Naghiu, A., Role of Bulgarian regulations is an important factor for the country image as international rural development of successful business. 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