“Danube Velo Route”
(20.05.2010–19.11.2011)
Romania – Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013
Priority axis 3:
“Economic and Social Development” - Economic development and social cohesion by joint identification and enhancement of the area’s comparative advantages
Key area of intervention 3.1:
“Support for cross-border business cooperation and promotion of a regional image and identity”

PROJECT PARTNERS:
Partner 1: Agency for Regional Development and Business Center – Vidin (ARDBC Vidin)
Partner 2: Romanian association for electronic and software industry (ARIES Oltenia)
ABOUT THE PROJECT

• PROJECT CONTEXT

                The “Danube Velo Route” project is a natural result of the efforts of the lead partner Agency for Regional Development and Business Center – Vidin and its Romanian partners to promote sustainable tourism in the region. Through its experience in Phare funded projects for promotion of a tourist destination and numerous meetings with Gtz representatives implementing a large scale project for the Danube bicycle track development and together with its partners the leading partner has accumulated large experience and know-how in the field of tourism development and promotion.

• PROJECT OBJECTIVES

                The main objective of the project is to promote and develop cross-border tourism along the Danube in Romania and Bulgaria. More specifically, the project aims the continuation of the well-known Danube bicycle route from Budapest to the Black Sea; the development and promotion of various forms of tourism along the Danube and a regional image of the Danube River between Bulgaria and Romania as tourist destination.

• PROJECT ACTIVITIES

                The project plans the following key activities: database collection for tourist services, events and infrastructure, etc. and its web posting; organization of workshops with local stakeholders, tourism companies, organizations in order to further develop tourist services, accommodation facilities; training on village tourism organization; draft projects for tourism development in the region; promotional materials: brochure and flyers, magazine, tourist DVD film, print of map; study for the signposting of the Danube bicycle track; pilot signposting of 100 signs;  organization of a Promotional Danube tour.

• TARGET GROUPS
• Local stakeholders, tourism companies, associations, potential tourism service providers
• Tourists: bikers, hikers, river, nature, village, camping, etc. tourists – from both countries and from the other countries along the Danube.
• International journalists
• Population of the cross-border region
• EXPECTED RESULTS
• MATERIALS
• PROJECT EVENTS