Project “Increasing the Cross-border Tourism Potential between Haskovo and Edirne” (CrossTour)

Source of funding: INTERREG-IPA Cross-border Cooperation Bulgaria-Turkey Programme, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund

Project partner: Thrace Nature Sports Specialty Club Association (Edirne, Turkey)

Main objective: To promote and support the development of tourism products from crafts and antiques businesses in the cross-border region between Haskovo and Edirne as a means of enhancing the tourist potential, sustainable development, cultural diversity and the historical heritage of the region

Place of implementation: Cross-border region between Bulgaria and Turkey

Activities:

1. Study of good practices in the crafts and antiques markets (Bulgaria, EU and Turkey) - identification of sustainable and modern methods of marketing/presentation of the local products

2. Training of craftsmen and antiques dealers - 15 people from Haskovo and 15 from Edirne will be trained in modern methods of presentation, marketing, sales, publicity, online presence, etc.

3. Organisation of a crafts’ fair in Haskovo district and a trader’s fair in Edirne - for a broad presentation of the potential of local craftsmen/antique shop owners and use of the newly acquired knowledge

4. Organisation of a conference on the future of the crafts and antiques business in the cross-border region - for dissemination of the project results among stakeholders in the region and to promote future actions

Total project value: 84,774.10 EUR, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the national budget of the participating countries (Bulgaria and Turkey)

Implementation period: 23 July 2019 – 23 October 2020