Programme: Maritime and Fisheries Programme

This project proposal envisages the pilot introduction of ecotourism as a new form of income for the fishing community in the Burgas region.
Ecotourism is a form of sustainable tourism focused on visits to relatively untouched by anthropogenic impact natural areas without damaging or disturbing habitats and is an alternative to standard commercial mass tourism. Ecotourism has a "soft" impact on the environment, ensures the active socio-economic participation of local people and their benefits. This means responsible travel to natural areas, protecting the environment and improving the well-being of local people.
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Ecotourism has significant potential for development in the region and the applicant plans to provide an innovative regional product - a walk with a floating platform in the Burgas Lake. The activity includes a walk of groups of up to 40 people who will have the opportunity to observe the nature from the floating platform, including the birds in the lake, which is a CORINE site, Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention and Important Bird Area (IBA) and Protected Area under the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive.

This activity will contribute to improving the well-being of the fishing community by diversifying the fisherman's activity and creating a new form of income that will allow the applicant to supplement his sources of income in the face of declining catches in the Black Sea. On the other hand, the introduction of such an ecotourism product on the territory of Burgas will complement in a harmonious way the other attractions of the city and will increase its attractiveness.