On June 11 and 12, 2025, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Vratsa welcomed representatives from seven European countries for the TOURBO project, as well as local and regional stakeholders from the tourism sector. The project aims to promote sustainable and digital business models for more efficient resource utilization in small and medium-sized enterprises operating in tourism.
The meeting was officially opened by Ms. Iliana Filipova, Chairperson of the Management Board of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Vratsa, and Alexander Vladimirov, Deputy Mayor of Vratsa Municipality.
During the two-day meeting, various strategies and tools for developing sustainable tourism in the Vratsa region and throughout Europe were presented. Guests learned about the priorities and vision for the future of tourism in the Vratsa region, as well as examples of successful adaptation of good practices from Lapland to the local context.
A significant emphasis was placed on policy instruments and innovative solutions that support the sector in its transition to more environmentally friendly and digitally transformed services. Participants exchanged experiences on topics such as reducing the carbon footprint through data utilization, sustainable management of tourist sites, and integrating modern technologies into the offering of tourist experiences.
Particularly inspiring were the presented good practices from various European countries, including pilot projects for digital cycling tours and sustainable gastronomic products. Participants also had the opportunity to take part in a walking tour of Vratsa's cultural landmarks and visit the Regional Historical Museum, Environmental center „Natura“, and the „Kaleto“ fortress in Mezdra – examples of a successful combination of tradition, innovation, and sustainable development.
The final part of the meeting was dedicated to the topic of digitization in tourism, with demonstrations of virtual reality and discussions about future opportunities for integrating such technologies into the region's tourism offerings.
The meeting concluded with a summary of the achievements and an outline of the next steps for the project. All participants expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to exchange knowledge and good practices, as well as confidence that the cooperation under the TOURBO project will continue to contribute to a more competitive, sustainable, and innovative tourism sector.
