Third Bulgarian Stakeholders' Event of the DETOCS Project
The third Bulgarian stakeholders' event of the DETOCS project took place at the municipal building in Peshtera on August 2nd, 2024. This important gathering was held in the territory of the technical partner, the Regional Energy Agency of Pazardzhik (REAP), situated in the Province of Pazardzhik. While REAP hosted the event locally, the project's policy owner, Burgas Municipality, joined the proceedings online.
The event featured a series of presentations and discussions led by experts from the Regional Energy Agency of Pazardzhik. They outlined the main objectives and progress of the DETOCS project, with a particular focus on successful green tourism initiatives from Malta and Finland. The Burgas Municipality representatives contributed by providing an overview of the political instruments that need to be enhanced as part of the DETOCS project and shared their key objectives.
The event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including public administrations from Peshtera, Pazardzhik, and Burgas, civil organizations such as the Association CSEG, energy agencies, social officers, and representatives from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including NEST.
The significance of DETOCS for stakeholders in the Pazardzhik Province and the Peshtera Municipality was emphasised, given the region's reputation for its mountainous landscapes and popular spa resorts. As a prominent tourist destination in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula, the region stands to benefit greatly from the project's initiatives aimed at promoting green tourism.
During the event, Bulgarian partners introduced potential solutions from various regions that could serve as good practices and be replicated in other urban areas, tourist sites, and resorts. The discussions highlighted the importance of managing overall infrastructure to support integrated green tourism.
The gathering concluded with a public debate on how renewable energy sources (RES) and energy efficiency (EE) projects could be effectively deployed in the tourism sector. Stakeholders from the Pazardzhik Province explored ways to leverage the results of the DETOCS project to stimulate the development of environmentally friendly tourism in the region.
As the DETOCS project progresses, it continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainable tourism in Bulgaria and beyond.