Joint events of national and local significance for tourism development
About this good practice
The practice includes the annual organization of three bigger and most significant for the region events – Botev days, National Folklore Assembly „Ledenika” and Vratsa autumn fair with the aim to boost the local economy and preserve cultural and natural heritage through tourism. Тhe practice’s objective is achieved through the collaborative model with the identification of relevant stakeholders, supporters and active participants. After that regular meeting, brainstorming, group discussions are being organized followed by consensus reaching about processes or analyzing problems, and finding solutions. The Botev organizing committee is elected by the Municipal council that consists of popular public figures who participate actively in the organization of the 10-days event dedicated to the revolutionary Hristo Botev. А working group with representatives of the local authorities, various non-governmental, youth and cultural organizations, police and fire department is developed for the organization of the autumn fair and the national folklore assembly. During the events preparation regular meetings are organized for the distribution of tasks and reporting of preparation progress. The beneficiaries are the local population gaining economic opportunities, MSMEs working in the tourism sector, the municipality achieving tourism goals, and tourists experiencing the diverse cultural and natural offerings of Vratsa.
Resources needed
For the three biggest annual public events in the region of Vratsa a total amount of EUR 100 000 is provided by the Municipal budget. The amount of EUR 50 000 is provided by sponsors. The human resources provided for the organization of the events include 200 municipal employees and volunteers.
Evidence of success
In 2022 more than 30 types of events were organized in the municipality of Vratsa which success can be measured through the following indicators: Number of tourists who attend the events – more than 10 000; Number of nights spent in the region of Vratsa - about 80 000; Number of business representatives /eg. Merchants/ to take part in the events - more than 200; Number of artists who attend the events /e.g. singers, dancers, folk ensembles/ - more than 350.
Potential for learning or transfer
The collaborative model and PPP can be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges in tourism development. The potential for learning is in the understanding the success factors of inter-agency collaboration, which involves government bodies, nature conservation, cultural institutions, and local businesses. Municipalities globally can learn from Vratsa's approach to developing and implementing sustainable tourism policies. Cultural Event Organization - other regions can adopt Vratsa's success in organizing cultural festivals to attract tourists and stimulate the local economy. The potential for learning is in the understanding the impact of festivals on tourism, job creation, and community engagement. Overall, Vratsa's innovative management and collaboration offer valuable insights and practices that can be adapted and transferred to diverse contexts seeking sustainable tourism development.