SWOT Analysis Religious Cultural Tourism

  SWOT Analysis Religious Cultural Tourism Touristic services in Bulgaria Partner: BRTA Released: July 9th 2012   What is the SWOT analysis It’s...
Author: Ruby Caldwell
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SWOT Analysis Religious Cultural Tourism Touristic services in Bulgaria

Partner: BRTA Released: July 9th 2012

 

What is the SWOT analysis It’s an analysis support to the choices and it answers the need for streamlining decision-making In general, European regulations requiring it for the evaluation of plans and programs

What is its use The SWOT analysis identifyies the main strategic guidelines in relation to an overall objective of economic development or sectoral

Structure of Swot Analysis 1. Strenght. Detect the strengths points of the observed object on which to bet on (micro) 2. Weakness. Detect the weak points of the observed object and so the things have to be improved (micro) 3. Opportunities. The benefits that can come from outside (eg. favorable regulations, economic benefitis, economic and social changes, etc.) (macro) 4. Threats. Events that may hinder or slow down our projects (macro)

When you use ex-ante phase to improve the integration of a program or project in its context Intermediate phase determine, in relation to changes in context, if the lines of action identified are still relevant and provides a tool to decide changes to the program (our case) Ex-post phase serves to contextualize the results of the final plans and programs

 

THE OPERATIVE PHASE Description of context (overview) A brief description of the Assigned Theme in the country (Religious Cultural assets Potential value or touristic services or training needs and population wider attitude) Bulgaria   is   located   in   Southeast   Europe,   in   the   northeast   part   of   the   Balkan   Peninsula.   Its   territory   is   located   between   44°13’   and   41°14’   north   latitude,   22°22’   and   28°37’   east   longitude.   It   is   a   European,   Balkan,   Black   Sea   and   Danube   country.   This   geographic   location   places  it  on  the  crossroad  between  Europe,  Asia  and  Africa.   Lifestyles  and  cultures  in  what  is  now  Bulgaria  have  developed  over  thousands  of  years.  The   country  is  located  at  the  crossroad  between  Europe  and  Asia,  and  the  lands  of  Bulgaria  have   been  populated  since  antiquity.  The  Slavs  and  proto-­‐Bulgarians  were  greatly  influenced  by  the   cultures  of  the  Thracians,  Illyrians  and  Greeks,  and  all  peoples  who  resided  on  these  lands  –   Thracians,  Romans,  Slavs,  and  Bulgarians  –  have  contributed  to  the  world’s  cultural  heritage.   It  is  no  accident  that  the  earliest  European  civilization  grew  up  here.  Some  of  the  most  famous   treasures  in  the  world  were  discovered  at  the  Varna  necropolis,  including  the  worlds  oldest   golden  ornaments;  There  are  Thracian  tombs  and  sanctuaries  in  Kazanlak,  Sveshtari,  Starosel,   Aleksandrovo,   Perperikon,   and   Tatul.   A   large   number   of   other   golden   artifacts   have   been   found,  in  the  Panagyurishte,  Valchitran,  Rogozen,  and  elsewhere.  The  remains  of  the  Thracian,   Hellenistic   and   Roman   culture   are   many   and   varied.   In   the   dozens   of   Thracians   tombs   that   have   been   discovered,   there   are   unique   remains   attesting   to   the   high   material   and   spiritual   culture   of   antiquity.   Entire   city   complexes   had   been   found   –   Augusta   Trayana,   Trimontium,   Nikopolis   ad   Istrum,   Pautalia,   Akre,   Mesemvria,   Apolonia,   Serdika   and   many   others.   The   traditions,   festivals,   customs,   and   rituals   preserved   by   Bulgarians   through   the   ages   are   evidence  of  the  country’s  profound  spirituality  and  its  dynamic  lifestyle  and  culture.   Bulgarian   customs   are   rooted   in   antiquity   and   are   closely   tied   to   the   country’s   history   and   particular   expression   of   Eastern   Orthodox   Christianity.   Dancing   on   live   coals   is   an   ancient  

 

Bulgarian   ritual   still   practiced   in   a   few   villages   in   the   Balkan   Mountains.   The   ritual   in   its   authentic   form   is   performed   on   the   name   day   of   Saints   Konstantin   and   Helena   –   21   May   or   (3   June   according   to   the   old   calendar.   Fire   dancers   prepare   for   their   dance   by   spending   hours   locked   in   a   chapel,   venerating   the   icons   of   these   two   saints   while   listening   to   the   beating   of   drums   and   the   music   of   gaidas   (Bulgarian   bagpipes),   which   is   a   special   melody   associated   with   fire   dancing,   after   which   they   often   fall   into   trance.   In   the   evening   they   perform   their   special   dance   on   live   coals.   During   their   dance   they   always   hold   aloft   in   both   hands   an   icon   of   Saint  Konstantin  and  Saint  Helena.  Amazingly,  they  never  get  hurt  or  burn  their  feet.   “Mummers”   is   another   local   tradition   that   also   found   in   other   societies   in   the   world.   The   Mummer   games   are   special   customs   and   rituals   conducted   most   often   on   New   Year’s   Eve   and   at  Shrovetide.  They  are  only  performed  by  men,  who  wear  special  masks  and  costumes  that   have   been   made   for   the   occasion   by   each   of   the   participants.   The   mummers’   ritual   dances   are   said  to  chase  away  bad  spirits  and  demons  at  the  beginning  of  every  year,  so  as  to  greet  the   new  year  cleansed  and  charged  with  positive  energy.   “Laduvane”   is   another   interesting   ritual   thatis   performed   on   the   New   Year’s   Eve,   George’s   Day,  Midsummer’s  Eve  and  St.  Lazar’s  Day.  At  this  ritual  young  women  predict  their  future  in   marriage  and   the   men   they   will   marry.  They  address  Lada,  the  goddess  of  love  and  family   life,   to  ask  her  about  their  future  husbands.   “Lazaruvane”  is  a  ritual  related  to  coming  of  spring.  It  is  conducted  on  St.  Lazar’s  Day,  eight   days  before  Easter.  The  date  of  the  celebration  varies,  but  it  is  always  on  the  Saturday  before   the   celebration   of   Palm   Sunday.   On   this   day   willow   branches   are   picked   and   used   to   decorate   the  doors  of  houses  on  the  following  day.  Then  the  young  maidens  in  the  villages  pick  flowers   to  shape  as  garlands  on  Palm  Sunday.  On  Saturday  maidens  gather  in  the  home  of  one  of  their   number   and   dress   in   festive   clothes   decorated   with   flowers   and   sprigs.   Then   they   walk   through  the  village  from  house  to  house,  offering  blessings  for  good  health  and  rich  harvests.   They  are  invited  in  and  given  small  gifts.  Probably  the  most  important  symbol  of  Bulgaria  is   the   ritual   of   making   and   giving   martenitsas   for   health   and   happiness   at   the   beginning   of  

 

March.  For  Bulgarians  this  is  a  symbol  of  the  year’s  renewal,  again  intended  to  promote  health   and  successful  harvests.   Especially   well-­‐respected   in   Bulgaria   are   traditions   related   to   the   circle   of   life   –   birth,   christening,  wedding,  and  funeral.  Saints’  name  days  are  also  highly  respected  in  the  country,   the  most  famous  ones  being  St.  John’s  day,  St.  George’s  Day,  and  St.  Dimitar’s  Day.   The   holidays   that   are   most   honored   by   Bulgarians   are   undoubtedly   Christmas   and   Easter   –   when   the   generations   all   celebrate   together,   united   by   the   feeling   of   belonging   to   the   harmonious   Bulgarian   family.   Also   especially   highly   honored   are   the   first   Sunday   before   Lent,   the  second  Sunday  before  Lent,  Mother’s  Day,  All  Soul’s  Day,  and  Lent.   While  traveling  around  the  country,  tourists  will  become  acquainted  with  various  rituals  and   customs,  many  of  which  are  typical  only  for  specific  regions  in  Bulgaria.   The  Rose  is  the  symbol  of  Bulgaria.  Rose  picking,  one  of  the  oldest  and  traditional  customs  of   Bulgarians,  has  become  primarily  a  tourist  attraction.  Carpets  from  the  time  of  the  Bulgarian   Revival   are   now   highly   valued   works   of   art.   The   major   centers   of   carpet   weaving   are   Kotel,   Chiprovtsi   and   Samokov.   Along   with   traditional   handicrafts,   Bulgaria’s   people   have   also   preserved  a  wide  range  of  traditional  popular  customs  and  songs.   There   are   a   number   of   architectural   reserves   in   the   country   that   preserve   the   unique   Bulgarian   architecture   from   the   age   of   the   Revival   (18th   –   19th   centuries)   –   Koprivshtitsa,   Tryavna,  Bozhentsi,  Zheravna,  Bansko,  and  Melnik,  among  others.  In  some  of  the  ethnographic   complexes,   such   as   Etara,   Zlatograd,   and   Old   Dobrich,   tourists   can   appreciate   first-­‐hand   Bulgarian   customs   and   handicrafts,   since   residents   continue   to   make   articles   according   to   old   techniques  passed  down  from  generation  to  generation.   During   the   Bulgarian   Revival,   the   monasteries   served   as   centers   of   artistic   and   educational   activity.   There   are   still   many   working   monasteries   in   the   country   –   Rila   Monastery,   Bachkovo   Monastery,  Troyan  Monastery,  Zemen  Monastery,  Glozhene  Monastery,  Kilifarevo  Monastery,   Shipchenski   Monastery,   and   others.   Our   country   is   also   famous   for   its   well-­‐established  

 

national   traditions   of   icon   painting   and   wood   carving.   The   best   known   icons   and   carvings   are   from  Samokov,  Tryavna  and  Bansko.   The  Bulgarian  national  costume  is  an  intrinsic  part  of  Bulgarian  lifestyle  and  culture.  Over  the   ages,  folk  costume  designs  have  been  influenced  by  Thracian,  Slavonic  and  ancient  Bulgarian   motives.  The  basic  article  of  clothing  is  a  white  shirt  with  long  sleeves,  worn  under  vests  and   coats   of   various   shapes,   materials   and   decorations.   There   are   four   types   of   national   female   costumes:   the   single   apron,   the   double   apron,   the   tunic,   and   the   sayana,   and   there   are   two   types   of   national   male   costumes:   white-­‐shirt   and   black-­‐shirt.   Each   ethnographic   area   (Dobrich,  Pirin,  Rhodope,  Northern,  Thracian  and  Sofia)  has  its  own  typical  workday,  holiday   and  wedding  costumes.   An   important   part   Bulgarian   culture   is   folk   music   and   national   dances,   such   as   the   horo.   Instruments  typically  used  to  perform  Bulgarian  national  music  are  the  fiddle,  the  mandolin,   the  kaval  (flute),  the  gaida  (bagpipe),  the  pipe,  the  dvoyanka  (double  pipe),  the  drum  and  the   taranbuka,  another  percussion  instrument.  Bulgarian  folksongs  are  handed  down  orally  from   one  generation  to  the  next.  The  ensembles  “Cosmic  Voices”,  “The  Mystery  of  Bulgarian  Voices”   and   the   folklore   ensemble   “Pirin”   are   internationally   famous.   Bulgarian   traditional   dances   are   exceptionally  vivid  forms  of  artistic  expression.  Most  often  they  are  performed  by  a  group  of   people   touching   palms   in   a   closed   or   open   circle,   semicircle,   serpentine   pattern,   or   in   a   straight   line.   Participants   perform   similar   movements   in   unison,   along   with   gestures   and   steps   to   a   specific   melody   (the   horo).   Depending   on   the   rhythm   and   the   steps,   there   are   a   number   of   horo   types:   the   standard   horo,   the   rachenitsa,   the   paydushko   horo   and   the   improvised  horo.   Bulgaria’s  museums  preserve  valuable  collections  of  domestic,  cultural  and  military  articles;   statues,   burial   steles   and   monuments;   masks,   mosaics,   and   small   statuettes   of   ancient   gods;   and  many  other  precious  exhibits.   Bulgarians  have  developed  their  culture  and  enriched  it  over  the  millennia,  and  they  preserve   it   and   continue   to   develop   it   to   the   present   day.   In   more   recent   times,   Bulgarians   have   also  

 

had  reason  to  take  pride  in  their  literature,  arts,  music,  and  architecture.  A  proof  of  ongoing   involvement   is   Bulgaria’s   rich   cultural   calendar   of   national   and   international   festivals   for   young  and  old  alike,  as  well  as  other  gatherings,  cultural  events,  and  expositions.   CULTURAL TOURISM IN BULGARIA

Bulgaria   is   a   country   with   thousands   of   years   of   history   and   a   cultural   heritage   that   embraces   ancient  civilizations.  Visitors  will  find  much  to  interest  them  in  the  country’s  history,  culture,   ethnography,   religion,   architecture   and   the   arts.   Unique   archaeological   sites   abound   throughout   the   country   –   ancient   settlement   mounds   from   the   Neolithic   age,   Thracian   sanctuaries   and   tombs,   remains   of   Roman   cities,   Byzantine   and   Medieval   fortresses,   architectural   reserves,   ethnographic   complexes,   churches   and   monasteries,   Tekkes   (mosques),  among  many  others.   Despite   the   fact   that   it   occupies   only   2%   of   Europe’s   territory,   about   40,000   historical   monuments  have  been  registered  in  Bulgaria  (7  of  which  are  included  in  the  UNESCO  list   of  world  cultural  heritage  sites),  36  cultural  reserves,  160  monasteries,  and  roughly  330   museums  and  galleries.  This  includes  prehistoric  finds,  Thracian  tombs,  sites  from  the  Greek   Age,   Roman   fortresses,   historical   monuments   from   the   time   of   the   First   and   the   Second   Bulgarian  Kingdoms,  and  architectural  landmarks  from  the  Age  of  Revival.   Emblematic  for  Bulgaria  are  the  monuments  included  in  the  UNESCO  List:  the  Kazanlak  Tomb   (4th   –   3rd   century   BC),   the   Thracian   Tomb   by   the   village   of   Sveshtari   near   Razgrad   (3rd   century  BC),  the  Madara  Horseman  (8th  century),  the  Boyana  Church  (10th  –  11th  century),   the   Ivanovo   Rock   Churches   near   Ruse   (10th   –   14th   century),   the   Rila   Monastery   (10th   century),  the  Old  Town  in  Nesebar.   The  Karanovska  settlement  mound  provides  a  basis  for  determining  the  Karanovska  Neolithic   periods   and   serves   as   a   model   for   understanding   the   development   of   European   prehistoric   cultures.   Of   great   interest   is   the   Valley   of   the   Thracian   Kings,   in   which   more   than   15   tombs   have   been   discovered.   Perperikon   is   also   located   in   the   territory   of   our   country.   It   is   considered   to   be   the   temple   of   God   Dionysus   containing   a   prophecy   chamber   equal   in   importance  to  the  one  dedicated  to  Apollo  at  Delphi.  It  is  believed  that  this  was  the  capital  of  

 

the   Odryssian   Kingdom.   The   largest   Thracian   royal   complex   with   a   mausoleum   temple   in   Southeast  Europe  was  discovered  in  the  region  of  the  village  of  Starosel.  The  oldest  gold  in  the   world   was   discovered   in   the   Varna   necropolis.   Many   Thracian   golden   treasures   have   also   been   found,   such   as   the   Panagyurishte,   Valchitran,   and   Rogozen   treasures.   There   are   numerous   remains   of   the   Thracian,   Hellenistic   and   Roman   culture.   Entire   Roman   city   complexes  have  been  found  at  Augustra  Trayana,  Trimontium,  Nikopolis  ad  Istrum,  Pautalia,   Akre,  Mesemvria,  Apolonia,  Serdika,  and  other  sites.   Many  of  Bulgaria’s  monasteries  have  been  instrumental  in  preserving  the  Bulgarian  Orthodox   faith   and   culture.   Some   of   them   are   the   Rila   Monastery,   Bachkovo   Monastery,   Troyan   Monastery,   Zemen   Monastery,   Rozhen   Monastery,   Kilifarevski   Monastery,   Sokolski   Monastery,   among   others.   In   the   country   there   are   also   many   churches   that   house   unique   examples  of  the  Bulgarian  iconographic,  woodcarving  and  painting  schools  and  that  possess   valuable  manuscripts.  The  relics  of  St.  John  the  Baptist  were  found  on  the  island  of  St.  John  off   Bulgaria’s  Black  Sea  coast.   Cultural   monuments   from   the   Bulgarian   Revival   period   can   be   found   in   many   of   its   cities,   towns,   and   villages,   such   as   those   in   Kotel,   Koprivshtitsa,   Karlovo,   Kalofer,   Sopot,   Elena,   Tryavna,  Bansko,  Melnik.  the  Old  Plovdiv,  Gela,  Shiroka  Laka,  Momchilovtsi,  Orehovo,  Smilyan,   Arda,  Dolen,  Leshten,  Kovachevitsa,  Pletena,  Bozhentsi,  Ribaritsa,  Zheravna,  Oreshak,  Medven,   Skandalo,   Arbanasi,   Balgari,   Kosti,   Brashlyan,   and   Mladezhko.   There   are   many   ways   for   visitors  to  appreciate  Bulgarian  crafts  such  as  woodcarving,  embroidery,  pottery,  and  knitting.   For   example,   there   is   the   architectural   and   ethnographic   open-­‐air   museum   at   Etara,   near   Gabrovo,  the  ethnographic  complexes  The  Old  Dobrich  and  Chiflika  near  Albena,  Bansko,  the   ethnographic   complex   Kulata   -­‐   Kazanlak,   the   ethnographic   complex   at   Zlatograd,   Varosha   –   Blagoevgrad,  the  ethnographic  complex  Brashlyan  –  Malko  Tarnovo,  and  others.   There   are   also   opportunities   to   observe   traditional   economic  activities  in  our  lands,  such   as   the  manufacture  of  rose  oil  and  wine  production.   Bulgaria  has  an  exceptionally  diverse  calendar  that  preserves  the  country’s  folk  traditions  and   customs  -­‐  Surva  (St.  Vasil’s  Day),  St.  Jordan’s  Day  –  Epiphany,  St.  John’s  Day,  St.  Anton’s  Day,  

 

Trifon  Zarezan,   Martuvane   (giving   martenitsas),   the   first   Sunday   before   Lent,   Mummer’s   Day,   St.   Todor’s   Day,   the   Annunciation   Day,   Easter,   St.   George’s   Day,   the   Day   of   Virgin   Mary,   St.   Dimitar’s   Day,   All   Souls   Day,   Christmas   Eve,   and   Christmas.   Many   Bulgarian   village   celebrations   and   folkways   preserve   ancient   traditions   and   customs,   such   as   St.   Lazar’s   Day,   Palm   Sunday,   the   mummers,   carol   singing,   fire-­‐dancing   and   many   others.   Exceptionally   attractive  are  the  folklore  festivals  and  gatherings  –  for  instance,  the  International  Mummers   Festival   “Starchevata”   (Razlog),   the   International   Festival   of   Masquerade   Games   “Surva”   (Pernik),   the   Ethnicities   Gathering   (municipality   of   Beloslav),   the   International   Folklore   Festival  (Veliko  Tarnovo),  the  National  Folklore  Festival  “Rozhen”,  the  International  Bagpipe   Festival  in  the  village  of  Gela,  and  many  others.   There   are   more   than   200   museums   in   the   country   -­‐   the   unique   Museum   of   Salt   in   the   town   of   Pomorie,   the   Museum   of   Roses   in   Kazanlak,   the   Museum   of   Transport   in   Ruse,   the   Museum   of   Woodcarving  in  Tryavna,  the  Museum  of  Humor  in  Gabrovo,  the  Museum  of  Medical  History   in   Varna,   the   Museum   of   Mosaics   in   Devnya,   the   Polytechnic   Museum   in   Sofia   City,   the   National   Museum   of   Anthropology   in   Sofia,   the   Museum   of   Wine   in   Pleven,   the   National   History  Museum,  the  museum  “Earth  and  its  People,”  and  many  others.   The  country’s  calendar  abounds  in  cultural  events.  Some  of  these  are  the  Sofia  Film  Fest,  the   festival   “Love   is   Folly”   in   Varna,   the   festival   “Varna   Summer”,   the   “Music   Days   in   March”   in   Ruse,  the  “Sofia  Music  Weeks”,  “Apolonia”,  “Spirit  of  Burgas”,  the  Kavarna  Rock  Fest,  and  many   others.      

 

 

  FOREIGN TOURISTS IN BULGARIA

Within   the   period   January   –   December   2011   Bulgaria   was   visited   by   total   of   8   712  821  foreigners.  The  increase  compared  to  the  previous  year  is  4.0%.  Visits  with  tourism   purpose,   according   to   the   definitions   of   the   World   Tourism   Organization   are   6   328   023.   Their   number  is  by  4.6%  more  compared  to  2010.  There  is  increase  in  relaxation  and  vacation  visits   of   6.1%,   as   4   484  248   visits   have   been   realized;   in   the   visits   for   business   purposes   of   4.1%,   as   971  735   visits   have   been   realized;   and   in   guest   visits   of   0.5%   –   144  308  visits.   There   is   decrease  in  the  other  visits  of  (-­‐2%),  as  727  732  visits  have  been  realized  (-­‐13.2%);  and  there   is   also   decrease   in   guest   visits   –   143,591   visits   (-­‐5.2%).   2   384  798   foreigners   have   passed   transit  through  the  country,  which  is  by  2.5%  more  than  the  previous  year.      

 

Strength Positive elements detected. -

Diversity of natural and cultural tourist resources located on a small territory which offers good accessibility and opportunities for tourism development;

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Beautiful and clean environment of tourism sights

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Excellent climate conditions;

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Rich and internationally famous cultural and historic heritage and preserved traditions;

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Geographic proximity to the main tourist markets;

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Hospitability of local people;

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Renewed accommodation and hotels;

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Image of a safe destination;

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Attractive cuisine and quality wines;

Weakness Negative or weak detected. -

Lack of well recognized image of Bulgaria as a tourist destination;

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Strong territorial disproportion and dependency of the product by the recreational tourism;

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Insufficient infrastructure inside the country (roads, public transport);

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Lack of tourist offices abroad;

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Not well trained and experienced staff;

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Lack of well planned land use in the tourist regions;

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An initial stage for the development of PPP;

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Insufficient information in Internet about Bulgaria as a tourist destination;

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Not quite attractive museums, galleries, attractions that exhibit the Bulgarian cultural and historic heritage;

 

Opportunities Potential or real positive elements from the external environment. -

Availability of rich tourist potential for diversification of the offers and overcoming of seasonality in tourism;

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Opportunities for diversification of the offered tourism products;

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Development of specialized types of tourism;

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Increase of the offered additional tourist services;

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Domestic tourism and tourism from the neighboring countries for weekend holidays;

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Improvement of the qualification and skills of the tourism staff;

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Attract foreign investment in tourism;

Threats Negative or weak  elements  that hamper the enhancement of the theme. -

Economic and financial crises

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Increase of the prices of the offered tourist services

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Competitors from neighboring countries;

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Negative impact of for’s major circumstances such as natural phenomena, terroristic actions, etc.

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Bad parameters of the environment;

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Lack of adequate territorial and spatial plans and tourist regions.