ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL OF TOURISM IN BURGAS DISTRICT Table of contents INTRODUCTION 1. Geographical location 2. Socio-economic and demographic characteristics 3. Infrastructure, environment 4. Transport accessibility, mobile connections 5. Education in tourism 6. Health 7. Analysis of tourism resources 7.1. Natural tourism resources 7.1.1. Relief 7.1.2. Climate 7.1.3. Water 7.1.4. Vegetation and wildlife 7.2. Anthropogenic tourism resources 7.2.1. Cultural and historical heritage 7.2.2. Archaeological sites 7.2.3. Architectural reserves 7.2.4. Temples, monasteries, religious sites 7.2.5. Traditions, customs and crafts 7.2.6. Cultural activities and events, festivities 7.2.7. Galleries, museums, historical landmarks, arts and crafts centres 7.2.8. Theatres, cinemas, libraries, cultural institutions 7.3. Facilities for recreation and tourism, tourism infrastructure and services 7.3.1. Tour operator and tourist agency activity 7.3.2. Hotels and restaurants - tourist sites 7.3.2.1. Accommodation - hotels, motels, tourist apartment complexes, holiday villages, tourist villages and villas; family hotels, hostels, room-and-board, holiday houses, guest houses, guest rooms, guest suites, bungalows and camping places; tourist cottages, tourist training centres and hostels, tourist canteens, travel buffets; 7.3.2.2. Places for dining and entertainment (independent and adjoining accommodations) - restaurants, fast food restaurants, pubs, cafes and bars; 7.3.2.3. Balneotreatment (medical SPA) centres, spas, wellness centres and thalassotherapy centres - independent and adjoining accommodation places; 7.3.3. Tourist information centres; visitor centres for presentation and exhibition of the local natural and cultural heritage; Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas 1 7.3.4. Other kinds of facilities - equestrian centres for amateur horse riding and routes for horseback riding; aqua parks, water attractions and adventure parks; entertainment and thematic parks; golf courses; places for observation of wild animals and birds; 7.3.5. Hunting farms under the Hunting and Game Protection Act; 7.3.6. Wineries; 8. Tourism offers - types of tourism and resorts Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas 2 INTRODUCTION Burgas district is picturesquely located in the southern parts of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. It includes Eastern Balkan Mountains, Strandzha and Burgas lowlands. A unique variety of nature, history, culture and folklore can be found here. The area is characterized by beautiful seashores, easily accessible mountains with unique flora and fauna, unique historical monuments, traditions and customs. The location of the town of Burgas determines the development of the area as a major transport hub in the district - the existence of Burgas airport, railway station, the seaport, Trakiya highway. Natural tourism resources in the area preseuppose the development of: • Marine recreational tourism - beaches, sunshine, favourable climate, sea water; • Spa treatment - Burgas mineral baths; climatic treatment - all year round on the Black Sea, Rosenetz park, Burgas mineral baths; • Mud treatment - Pomorie; • Ornithological tourism - "Pomorie Lake" conservation Centre, "Poda" Conservation Centre, shelter for birdwatching "Atanasovsko lake", "Ropotamo” conservation centre • Ecotourism - Strandzha Natural Park, Burgas wetlands, Rosenetz park, ecopaths, Ropotamo reserve, Eastern Balkan Mountains. A characteristic feature of the ecological and other kinds of sustainable tourism is the requirement for offering a diverse and highly individualized product. Areas with preserved natural resources are promoted through its development. • The area of Strandzha disposes of significant resources for climatic treatment in bioclimatic respect. The healing properties of the climate in the coastal area, combined with the beaches and the sea, are the reason for the announcement of Ahtopol as a climatiz seaside resort of national importance and of Sinemorets as a climatic seaside resort of local importance. Malko Tarnovo is a mountainous climatic resort of local importance for climatic treatment of allergic and pulmonary diseases. • Hunting tourism - the area disposes of well-organized hunting grounds and fields for hunting a variety of game and birds with valuable trophies. Anthropogenic resources in the district allow for year-round development of cultural, archaeological, rural, route-cognitive, religious, folklore, gastronomic, wine and other types of tourism. Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas 3 1. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION Burgas district is located in southeastern part of Bulgaria on an area of 7748.1 sq. km. (6.9% of the area of Bulgaria) and is the second largest after Sofia district. To the east the district has a wide outlet on the Black Sea (224 km), to the south it borders with Republic of Turkey, to the west with the districts of Yambol and Sliven and to the north - with the districts of Varna and Shumen. The largest bay on the Black Sea - Burgas bay, is located in the district. The lakes Burgas, Atanasovsko and Mandra, Pomorie, Alepu are located near the beach. The situation of the district on the Black Sea coast has the greatest significance for the development of marine recreational tourism since the beginning and more actively since the middle of last century. This is also a prerequisite for the development of ports, fishing, maritime transport, water sports, etc. The northern boundary of the district passes along Stara Planina. The connection of the district with the Northeastern planning area takes place through the low and comfortable passes of Stara Planina (Varbishki, Rishki, Dyulinski, Obzor, etc.). Road and railway lines to Sofia (via Plovdiv and Karlovo), to Varna and Ruse, to Harmanli and Kardzhali (through Elhovo and Topolovgrad), the panorama road Constanta - Varna - Burgas - Malko Tarnovo - Istanbul, etc. are of significance for the organization of excursions, transfers and liaising with the other administrative districts in the country; The geostrategic position of the district is a factor for the development of both domestic and international tourism. Roads from Europe to the Near East and Asia; from Europe to the Middle East and Asia; from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Western Europe are crossing here. There are 13 municipalities in the district: Aytos, Burgas, Kameno, Karnobat, Malko Tarnovo, Nesebar, Pomorie, Ruen, Sozopol, Sredetz, Sungurlare, Primorsko and Tzarevo. Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas 4 Figure Map of Burgas district with the municipalities in it The favourable location of Burgas district in the southeastern part of Bulgaria with an outlet on the Black Sea creates conditions for tourism and development of transport corridors to the world with relatively better climate in comparison with other districts in the country. 2. SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS Burgas district is the second largest in Bulgaria. The area of the district is 7 753.14 sq. km. The geostrategic location of the district is a factor of national importance, which is widely recognized by various countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. Burgas is one of the districts, best developed economically in Republic of Bulgaria. Burgas is the fifth largest district in Bulgaria in terms of GDP per capita, equal to 90% of the national average. Sofia (capital) and the districts of Sofia, Varna and Stara Zagora rank before Burgas. Field generates 5.22 % of the gross domestic product of Bulgaria. The main part of the added value in the district is created by the services sector, followed by industry and agriculture. The main subfields of industry are: chemical and petrochemical industry, food processing, electronics, machinery, textile, as well as logging and wood processing. The economy of the district is characterized by poor diversification. Oil processing is best developed among industries, which occupies nearly 70% of industrial production. Food processing and machine building industry come next. Transport, logistics, agriculture are Bourgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 12B, L. Karavelov Str. 8000 Bourgas 5 well-developed. Tourism and trade are crucial for the economy of the district. 30% of the beds in the country in 2015 and more than a third of the revenues from overnight stays are concentrated in Burgas. "Services" sector has the greatest share in the development of Burgas district - 63.8% of the gross added value, generated in the district. It is followed by the industry with 31.4% and agriculture is last with 4.8 %. A tendency towards an increase in the share of services at the expense of industry and especially at the expense of agriculture has been observed in recent years. The chemical and petrochemical industry is the dominant industry in the economic business card of Burgas district. It provides 84.5% of revenues in the district with a tendency towards an increase of its share. The main representative of the chemical industry is "Lukoil Neftochim" JSC. The refinery is the largest petrochemical complex in Southeastern Europe and produces over 40 products. The food processing industry is the second most important structure-determining sector in the economy of Burgas district. Wine, brewery, dairy, meat, fish, milling, etc. industries are represented. There are of importance for the development of tourism in the district. Wine production is extremely important for the development of