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Description
In the recent years, Bansko Municipality has made a lot of efforts to turn the town into a year-round tourist destination. The current project is aimed at supporting the diversification of the tourism product by providing a mobile stage suitable for festivals and events. Considering that, especially in summer, a large part of Bansko''s visitors prefer walking during the day and in the evening, it is necessary to present the local folklore and traditions, using the possibilities of the community centers and the features of the authentic old town. Through the implementation of the project, opportunities to create direct employment will be provided by hiring unemployed people and training them to increase their competitiveness in the labor market, as well as their adaptation in a working environment. The contribution of the project proposal to the creation of indirect employment by attracting a greater tourist flow and to improving the business environment and increasing the competitiveness of the local economy is considerable. The project proposal envisages the provision of methodical support to disadvantaged unemployed persons by mentors and trainers. The results of the implementation of the project proposal will be promoted according to the developed communication strategy.
Summary of project results
In the recent years, Bansko Municipality has been making efforts to turn the city into a year-round tourist destination. There was a need to diversify the tourism product by providing a mobile stage suitable for festivals and events to present the local folklore and traditions, using the possibilities of the community centers and the features of the authentic old town. Meanwhile, solutions have been sought for improved employment for unemployed people and provision of training to increase their opportunities for competitiveness on the labor market, as well as their adaptation in a working environment. The contribution of the project to the creation of indirect employment, by attracting a greater flow of tourists and improving the business environment and increasing the competitiveness of the local economy, is considerable.
The ultimate goal of the project was to develop Bansko Municipality as a year-round tourist destination by using to a maximum extent its natural, historical and cultural resources for sustainable diversification of the tourist product, its upgrading and diversification. The project created conditions for the development of cultural and festival tourism, conditions for a wide performance of local self-made ensembles. New jobs were created as a result of the project. Seasonal employment in tourism, which is the main livelihood in Bansko, was reduced and the business environment was improved. A link was established between local traditions and tourism, thus fulfilling social goals aimed at integrating disadvantaged people.
The project contributed directly to the People''s Community Center "Nikola Vaptsarov" Bansko, where more than 350 self-made people develop; they can now develop their potential and enrich and diversify the offered tourist product based on local traditions and utilized cultural resources. Cultural actors will assist in the organization and holding of festivals and cultural events. The project also had an impact on "Establishments for social services" Municipal Office, which employs occupational therapists, carpenters, artists, etc. with whom disabled people are able to learn how to make souvenirs and sell the in the exhibition space for local crafts. The implementation of this strategy will provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged people in the future. In addition, stakeholders interested in the development of Bansko as a year-round tourist destination, such as hoteliers, tour operators, organizations and persons providing services in the field of tourism, trade and services, would also benefit from the project results. Their role is in the promotion and advertising of the newly created diverse tourist product is of great importance for the future development of Bansko Municipality.