Stara Planina Regional Tourist Association

Stara Planina Regional Tourist Association is a non-governmental non-for-profit organization established in 1996, as a part of a Bulgarian-Swiss project for tourism development in Central Stara Planina region.
Our members are 7 local tourist associations in Tryavna, Gabrovo, Dryanovo, Sevlievo, Аpriltsi, Troyan, Теteven; Gabrovo Chamber of commerce and industry and the municipalities – Gabrovo, Tryavna, Dryanovo, Sevlievo, Lovech, Teteven, G.Oriahovitsa, Kazanlak and Pavel Bania. The hotels from Kazanlak – Palace and Zornitsa are the first individual members of RTA.
Since 2004, the Association enrolled associated members such as tourist site Journey.bg, the tourist agencies Boyana MG, LADA TOUR, Municipality of Lukovit, Royal Holiday Exotic Co. in Bozhentsi village.
Our main partner and a donor is the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. In 2003 RTA Stara Planina has been registered as a non-for-profit organization, working for public benefit.
In 2005 RTA got a license for tour operator and travel agent – 05472.
RTA is a member of Bulgarian Association of Travel Agencies (BATA) and the Bulgarian Hotels and Restaurants Association (BHRA).
RTA Stara Planina is a member and a partner of the Association for partnership and citizens activity support Balkan Assist – Sofia.

OUR MISSION : Stara Planina Regional Tourist Association supports the sustainable tourism development and represents the region in the country and abroad as an interesting and attractive place to visit. RTA consults entrepreneurs in tourist branch, coordinates and supports the activity of Local tourist associations in order to create, develops and promotes an attractive tourist product.
RTA Stara Planina works for improving quality of tourist services and establishing a new image of the region on tourist market.

OUR VISION:
• Stara Planina Regional Tourist Association is an outstanding center for information, consultations and training on problems of sustainable tourism development in Central Stara Planina region.
• Stara Planina Regional Tourist Association has an essential contribution to stimulate the economic growth of the region.
• Stara Planina Regional Tourist Association is a reputable and desired partner for local, regional and central authorities, non-governmental organizations in the implementation of the projects for regional tourism development.

TRACK RECORD AND ACTION PROGRAM:
• 1997 – Published 2 colour brochures representing the tourist potential of the region and the diversity of alternative tourist products. Annually published catalogue for accommodation places in the region.
• 1998 - Project for biking tourism - "Hike and Bike on the Sun’s path"; marked and signalized hiking and cyclists’ routes; a tourist map with the routes.
• Since 1999 Stara Planina Regional Тourist Аssociation is the initiator of the first in the country Regional trade show “On the Sun’s path”, representing the tourism opportunities in the region. Conducted 8 trade shows.
• Since 2002 - implementation of a pilot project for guaranteeing quality of tourist services in the region, aiming at improving competitiveness of local supply and synchronization of quality standards according to those of the European Union.
• 2002/2003 – implementation of a mandate of the Swiss government for monitoring and support of projects in the region
• 2003 – Published a training manual “Quality and diversification of tourist service – guarantee for successful business” for improving professional competence of tourism entrepreneurs.
• 2003 – Published an illustrated tourist map of Central Stara Planina region in Bulgarian, Russian, German and English.
• 2003 – CD and a brochure about the cultural and historical heritage in the region
• 2002/2003 - RTA is one of the main actors in preparation of the National strategy for ecotourism development and a coordinator of regional planning in North Central Balkan Eco region.
• 2004 – Published map with hiking, biking and horse-riding routes in the region of Central Stara Planina and a catalogue “The best on the Sun’s Path” .
• 2004 – A project for establishing tourist information system of the region.
• 2004 – RTA was a partner of Gabrovo District administration in the project “Travelling through the Unknown Revival”, financed by PHARE program for Bulgarian Cultural tourism development.
• 2004/2006 – Implementation of a project for rural and ecotourism development in the region
• 2005/2006 - New promotional brochures, CDs and posters for representation of the region at the international tourist market – London, Berlin and Montreux Travel Tradeshows.
• 2005/2006 – RTA was a partner of Apriltsi, Teteven and Gabrovo Municipality in realization of ecotourism development projects financed by EU PHARE Program.

OUR GOALS:
• To prepare and implement projects and strategies, stimulating the sustainable tourism development of the region and diversifying tourist supply.
• To enlarge the regional tourist product; efficient promotion and advertising on domestic and foreign market.
• To implement projects for tourism development in partnership and interaction with all interested parties.
• To defend and lobby for the interests of tourist branch in the region in front of local, regional and central authorities.
• To improve professional competence and qualification of people who work in tourism by organizing training courses and exchange of positive practice.
• To establish sustainable partnership relations with foreign similar organizations in order to study and apply the positive foreign experience.
• To attract new members and expand territory of the Association.

THE SERVICES WE OFFER
• Seminars, training courses and exchange of experience to improve professional competence in tourism sector
• Promotion and advertising of regional tourist supply and support entrepreneurs from the region by organizing Contact trade shows, participation in national and international exhibitions and events, publishing advertising materials.
• Consulting assistance – specific knowledge on concrete matter, project preparation, lobbing
• Design new offers, advertising materials, ideas for diversification of services, contacts with tourist companies
• Defend branch interests in front of the authorities, protection from non loyal competitiveness
• Information for financing of projects, credits for tourist activities, contacts with partner organizations and donors.

RTA “Stara Planina” is working in large network of partner organizations.

OUR PARTNERS:
• Tourist companies and entrepreneurs from the country and abroad
• Directorates of Protected Areas
• Cultural institutions, museums, craftsmen, sport clubs, individuals, interested in tourism development
• Tourism schools and Universities
• Local, regional and central authorities
• Non governmental organizations from the country and abroad
• Bulgarian and foreign local and branch tourist organizations

Regional tourist association Stara Planina

9, Opalchenska Street
5300 Gabrovo, Bulgaria
tel./fax: +359 66/ 809 161
tel: +359 66/ 807 137
fax: +359 66/ 806 199