Today, on the International Day of the Black Sea, a final meeting was held on the project "Water Resources with a focus on the development of Apitourism in the Kameno - Burgas region in the context of the Blue Growth Strategy and their promotion as a tourist location through digitalization", financed under Measure BG14MFOP001-4.098 - Development and popularization of the identity of the territory of the MIRG from the Strategy for community-led local development of the MIRG "Burgas - Kameno", Program for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries 2014-2020.
The project event starting at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday - 31.10.2023 in hall 6 / the round hall opposite the central entrance / Flora - Burgas Exhibition Center was held with interest from the citizens of Burgas, who visited the sea garden before lunch at the International Black Sea Day 2023 year.
The attendees were introduced to the following information through the video presentation:
THE BEGINNING...
The implementation of the ideas for the development of Apitourism in the Burgas - Kameno region arose from a cross-border project for the development of pilgrimage tourism, on whose website it is explained in an accessible and fascinating way how with the efforts of only one person who grows bees and plants fruit trees, it is possible to successfully to restore an ancient monastery, which today is already a popular centre of spiritual culture and pilgrimage interest for the peoples of two neighbouring countries on the Balkan Peninsula. To the question - Where are there monasteries and beekeepers near Burgas? The result was that none of our local, Burgas-born acquaintances could think of a specific route, everyone suggested apiaries around Strandzha, or the region of Aytos and Karnobat.
THE SUPPORT.....
It turned out that there are many locations of active beekeepers not only in the municipalities in Burgas Kameno, but also in others among the neighbouring Black Sea regions, but the focus has not been presented so far as a tourist opportunity for cultural-historical and healthy tourism with the main focus BEES and WATER. The possibilities that the local beekeepers provided with information from their practice in the on-site meetings of the project team revealed to us many factors that remain unlit for researchers of the topic and lovers of bee products. One of the main obstacles turned out to be that, due to frequent raids by thieves on beehives, beekeepers do not want to apply through a specific JPS location. They, as agricultural producers, do not receive support such as up-to-date advice for additional financing and accessible opportunities for direct subsidies from various national and international programs for the development of digital marketing and distribution of their bee production. It was found that the opportunities for financing under other programs are available only to the largest associations of beekeepers, due to the high costs of preparation, application and reporting of a project for financing with European funds. The current situation at the national level at the time of the implementation of the project is that, unlike other countries in the EU with a policy for the development of APItourism, Bulgaria has not yet foreseen funding and logistical support in this industry for advertising through the Internet, digital marketing and distribution of bee production, training of beekeepers with a business focus and purchase of protective clothing for tourists of different ages, necessary for visiting organized tourist groups with educational purposes in the apiary during the active season. The lack of mentoring for financing and project preparation from local authorities to smallholder farmers, such as beekeepers and growers of fruit and other oil-bearing plants, which bees need for the production of honey and its derived products, is also a significant obstacle preventing their access to finance and realization of qualitative development of the local business in the sector, following the current international trends in the industry. Support for the project was received from the local authorities at all levels of the administration, and there was a spontaneous response from the students, who were presented with part of the results of the project activity. Experts from the local museums, community centres and the regional library supported the process so it will be published on the project site in a digital form free to download from any resource not available until now in the Internet space. Anyone who wants to get to know in depth the region's traditions for beekeeping since 1923 and until now will be able to do so through the correct site medarka.eu and perhaps be inspired by new searches and creative achievements.
THE CONTRIBUTION.....
The added value of the project, which will be visible and publicly available during the monitoring period until 2028, is related to a new look and in-depth knowledge and analysis with the aim of new forms of development of the use of hair products, such as Apitourism in the region. The various sectors of the Bulgarian economy, in which experts such as architects, art critics, builders, tour operators, trainers, doctors and farmers cultivating oil crops are involved, are directly involved in the theme of the project. The close relationship between literature, psychology, religious and ethnographic cultural traditions, as well as healing methods in the restoration of soldiers and citizens through honey and other bee products, are an opportunity for the development of culture in our time with an element of historicity.
THE PERSPECTIVE...
During the 5-year monitoring period of the project, the medaka.eu team undertakes to introduce and share its experience with a business focus on the development of Apitourism in the Burgas-Kameno region with all willing representatives of local beekeepers, as well as to actively cooperate with local organizations - museums, community centres and educational institutions to popularize the opportunities for bee tourism in the region among citizens of all ages and guests of the city. Bees produce and donate their honey and people who consume it are healthy. Health is joy and man's quest for longevity and wisdom is eternal. Travelling through the Apitourism routes in the Burgas-Kameno region, everyone will discover, analyze and experience in their memories their reading of the topic BEES - SALT, fresh and river WATER!
THE API ROUTE.....
Routes past apiaries in the Kameno-Burgas region:
1 ROUTE direction "Following the tracks of the Bee and the Salt Water" - Burgas city, Konstantinovo village, Livada village, Rusokastro village, Zhelyazovo village, Troyanovo village - Yaz. Troyanovo, the village of Krastina, the Koriyata Protected Area near the town of Kameno, the town of Kameno, the Chapel next to the river near the town of Kameno, the salt pans near the town of Burgas, the Museum of Salt - Burgas, the town of Burgas
2 ROUTE direction "In the footsteps of the Bee and Fresh Water" - Burgas city, Cherni Vrah village, Polski Izvor village, Bratovo village, Ravnets village, Rusokastro Fortress, Vaya Zona eco-park, Gorno Ezerovo district, M.Rudnik church - old ayazmo and the Black Virgin complex, micro dam, Shiloto peak, Mina Varli Bryag district, Burgas city.
3 ROUTE direction: "Following the tracks of the Bee and the River" - Burgas city, Troyanovo-yaz village. Troyanovo, Rusokastro fortress, Debelt village and the ancient city of Deultum, Konstantinovo village, Mandra-Bataka protected area near Mrudnik district, Marinka village, Izvorska river mouth protected area, the coast of Mandra dam and surrounding forests areas, the village of Dimchevo, the village of Prisad, the village of Izvor, the "Old Sovat" Protected Area, the PODA Nature Conservation Center, the coast of Foros Bay incl. mouth of a river next to Cape Foros and the archaeological excavations, Burgas city.
After the presentation of the bee routes in the Burgas - Kameno region, some of the attendees expressed their opinion and suggested including the areas near the village of Marinka with the beautiful rock formations and a creek, near which bees are also raised, as well as to add the area near Aqua Kalide with a focus Water reservoirs and archaeology through the eyes of bees through the ages.
Link to the presentation: https://youtu.be/kAolSvX7Qr0
Photos and video of the routes and other resources available under the project can be viewed in detail on the website www.medarka.eu
