BULGARIAN RAMSAR SITES AS A RESOURCE FOR ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT Cover Image

РАМСАРСКИТЕ МЕСТА В БЪЛГАРИЯ КАТО РЕСУРС ЗА РАЗВИТИЕ НА ЕКОТУРИЗМА
BULGARIAN RAMSAR SITES AS A RESOURCE FOR ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Author(s): Georgi L. Georgiev, Maria Vasileva
Subject(s): National Economy, Tourism
Published by: ЮГОЗАПАДЕН УНИВЕРСИТЕТ »НЕОФИТ РИЛСКИ«
Keywords: ecotourism; sustainable tourism; wetlands; Ramsar Convention; Ramsar sites

Summary/Abstract: Bulgarian biodiversity constitutes a solid base for ecotourism development. At the very same time ecotourism facilitates all related to it business services, especially those in the field of small and medium entrepreneurship initiatives. This form of tourism ensures economic and social involvement of local communities and equitable distribution of evolving responsibilities and benefits. It also encompasses important elements of conservation education, interpretation of the natural and cultural heritage and conformity with all forms of sustainable tourism. Some of the most interesting territories for their biodiversity are Bulgarian wetlands. The most significant ones are subject to protection under the Ramsar Convention ( the Convention on Wetlands of Iinternational Iimportance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat). This paper examines some theoretical issues in the field of eco- and sustainable tourism. An analysis on biodiversity of all ten Ramsar sites in Bulgaria is done, with a view to their utilization as a resource for ecotourism development. A specially-developed model of a system, promoting ecotourism in Bulgarian Ramsar sites is offered.

  • Issue Year: 5/2009
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 34-53
  • Page Count: 20
  • Language: English