1.1 Tourist Attractiveness

The main objective of the project: Support the development of the sustainable tourism through providing and networking of vast spectrum of programs and collectively endogenous potential of the territory within and around of Visitor centres in Nis and Sofia. Specific objectives of the project are: 1. Providing infrastructure to enhance the tourism offer, the satisfaction of visitors and local population; 2. Long-term planning of new programs and services for the potential use of the sites for green tourism, education, scientific tourism and the promotion of cultural and historical heritage; 3. To offer a sustainable model of responsible tourism, with particular emphasis on mobility, distribution of generated revenues and environmental sustainability; 4. to improve local economic development through a participatory approach that exploits the endogenous potential of the territory.

Planned activities: 1. Construction of Visitor Center Cerje cave near Nis for introduction and promotion of natural protected values and characteristics 2. Development of software for digital registration of the historic and cultural sites in Sofia District 3. Instalation of information kiosks 4. Development and operative structure for sustainable management of common cultural and natural values 5. Developing of new touristic routes around Visitors Cave 6. Opening and promoting of Visitors’ Centre Cerje Cave 7. Joint training seminar on new touristic tendencies

Expected results: 1. Improved cross-border touristic offer by development of joint cross-border destination through introducing of visitor center in Nis instalation of information kiosks and furinishing and equiping of tourist info center and Museum of History in Sofia with supported programmes for visitors; 2. Improved capacity of population living in targeted area to diversify economic activities in rural areas; 3. Enhanced visibility of richness and diversity of the landscape and cross-border territory; 4. Strengthen of regional cooperation and intercultural dialogue.