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Dragon Boats (ROBG-399)
Published on 31 May 2021
Bulgaria
Severozapaden
Iliana Georgieva
communication manager
About this good practice
Overall project objective is to create a new joint tourism product-Dragon Boats along the Danube in cross border area of Romania-Bulgaria,allowing large number of people to get in touch with the biggest flowing natural phenomenon and unifying factor for both countries–the Danube!Originality of project idea comes from Dragon Boat Festival which is an ancient Chinese tradition that originated from efforts of the people from Chu kingdom to save poet Tsu Yueen by boats.Idea is also is related to enhancing cross-border cooperation between people and institutions in the region to jointly address common challenges and exploit untapped potential for tourism development through resource efficiency,developing common tourism product based on natural,cultural heritage and joint promotion.Project concretization presented the following steps:
- Creation of technical capacity for the tourism product–Purchased 4 dragon boats,2 safety boats,rowing simulator,life vests,mobile dock,dragon boats trailer,cargo van and various equipment;
- Organized 9 alternative tourism seminars in order to coordinate the created by project team management plan for valorization of water tourism;
- 6 Dragon boat festivals in Danube towns;
- Organizing of cross-border dragon triathlon;
- Organized 1 cross-border Dragon boat mini marathons in BG and RO;
- Organized 5 1-day rowing simulation events in bigger cities in the cross-border area;
- Promotion of developed tourism product and project.
Resources needed
Total project budget was 497,763 EUR. Financial resources necessary for the realization of the good practice could vary depending on the territorial scope and number of the purchased equipment.
Evidence of success
At project events took part following number of participants:
9 seminars for alternative tourism - 372 participants, 1 triatlon Dragon - 80 participants, 5 simulation events - 289 participants, 1 mini maraton - 80 participants, 6 festivals Dragon Boats - 514 participants.50-minute film "Dragon Boats" was developed.Sailing with dragon boats was included in the list of offered services by Adventure Center – Belogradchik as permanent offer.
9 seminars for alternative tourism - 372 participants, 1 triatlon Dragon - 80 participants, 5 simulation events - 289 participants, 1 mini maraton - 80 participants, 6 festivals Dragon Boats - 514 participants.50-minute film "Dragon Boats" was developed.Sailing with dragon boats was included in the list of offered services by Adventure Center – Belogradchik as permanent offer.
Potential for learning or transfer
Created tourism product Dragon boats represents an important tourism attraction along Danube in cross border area of Romania-Bulgaria and the appropriate water basins. It can be used to attract big groups of tourists to practice team building,water sports,discover nature from the water. Although the project is not a revenue generation project,the obtained tourism product is available even after the project end and the direct costs for events are covered without generating profit.Project generates indirect revenues.These boat events are extremely popular and make the waters in cross border area an attractive destination only because of fabulous show they create in the water. An important role in long-term development of tourism is played by public administrations, which must carry out intense activity of promoting tourism.Dragon boats is opportunity to diversify tourism market and highlight geographical areas with tourist potential.Could integrate it in several sectors of tourism .
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Association "Regional Partnerships for Sustainable Development - Vidin"
Bulgaria
Severozapaden
Contact
Iliana Georgieva
communication manager