Rhodopes Regional Tourism Association was established on 30th January 2003 in the city of Smolyan by representatives of 38 tourist organisations, private companies, local authorities and state institutions. Among the founders are the municipalities of Smolyan, Chepelare, Zlatograd, Banite, Dospat and Madan; The Smolyan Regional Government; The Union of the Rhodopean Hoteliers and Caterers; The Union “Pamporovo 21st Century”; The Union of Hoteliers, Caterers and Traders “Chepelare”; The Tourist Councils and the Tourist Unions in the villages of Orehovo, Mogilitza, Shiroka Luka, Momchilovtzi and Trigrad; The Planetarium in Smolyan; “Paisii Hilendarski” University of Plovdiv in Smolyan, Tousim Technical School in Smolyan, Union of Bulgarian Drivers in Smolyan, tourist agencies; hotels; firms etc. The main objective of Rhodopes Regional Tourism Association is to promote the sustainable development of tourism in the region of Smolyan through assisting the protection of the environment and the cultural and historical heritage of the mountain; its adaptation to the needs of tourism in order to quicken the creation of alternative means of living for the population and increasing their income.

Some of the main activities of the association are:

1. Registration and efficient use of the tourist, natural and man-made resources.

2. Development of the tourist base and infrastructure through improving the co-ordination in development and implementation of regional projects and investment programs.

3. Promotion and advertising the opportunities for tourism in the Central Rhodopes.

4. Assisting the improvement of the quality of the tourist services in the region and enriching the components of the tourist product in the Rhodopes.

5. Assisting the education and qualification of the tourist personnel, as well as introducing up-to-date technology and know-how in the tourist services.

6. Supporting regional data and photo base for the needs of marketing surveys and advertising campaigns of the tourism in the Smolyan region.

What the Regional Tourist Association did in the first year of its establishment:

1. Developed Communication strategy and Program for public relations

2. Implemented market research of the Bulgarian market for tourist products in the Central Rhodopes.

3. Presented its members and their abilities in offering of tourist products at the national tourist markets in Sofia, Varna and Bourgas.

4. Organised Rhodopean Tourist Market “The Mountains of Bulgaria - hospitality in four seasons”, which took place from 8th to 10th October 2004 in Smolyan. Meanwhile a conference was held: “Partnership in tourism for regional economic development”.

5. In the spring of 2003 the association held a 3-month campaign which drew in a lot of partners and created a Regional plan for operation for eco-tourism in the western Rhodopes.

6. In the beginning of November started realisation of the project “Partnership between public and private sector for local economic development of Smolyan Region”. A Balkan conference was held and the participants were from Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Macedonia, Romania and Turkey.

7. Created Strategy for the development of tourism in the municipality of Smolyan.

The Rhodopes Regional Tourism Association is ready to implement active partnership with donors, programs and organisations in order to achieve its main objective – sustainable development of tourism in the Central Rhodopes. 4700, SMOLYAN 14 Bulgaria Blvd. Tel./Fax: 00359 301 6 34 20 Tel./Fax: 00359 301 6 23 33 mobile: 00359 48 833 719

web site: www.rodopi-bg.com