Ten Bulgarian projects in the tourism sector are receiving financial support totalling €190,000 under the INSPIRES project – “Initiatives for Sustainable Innovative Practices, Resilience, and Empowerment in Tourism SMEs”. Four of the projects have been awarded €25,000 each, while six have received €15,000 each.
The INSPIRES project is funded by the European Union’s Single Market Programme and supports tourism enterprises in their green and digital transition. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vratsa is the Bulgarian partner in the project and supports the implementation and monitoring of the initiatives funded in Bulgaria.
The ten projects are already under implementation and cover a wide range of areas, including accommodation, hospitality and restaurants, rural and mountain tourism, cultural heritage, wine and culinary experiences, and tourism services. Key activities include the introduction of renewable energy and energy-efficiency solutions, the development of websites and direct booking options, digital menus and ordering systems, interactive maps, QR-code-accessible content, virtual and augmented reality, and low-carbon mobility solutions.
The projects are expected to help reduce resource consumption and environmental impact, improve the digital presence and operational efficiency of participating businesses, and create new and more attractive tourism experiences. They will also support the development of year-round tourism, cooperation with local producers and cultural organisations, and the promotion of lesser-known destinations.
The first results are already becoming visible: businesses are starting to share their initiatives through social media and at various events, while at the same time developing new digital products, tourism services, and targeted promotional campaigns. Step by step, the projects are turning ideas into practical solutions that can make Bulgarian tourism more sustainable, better connected, and better prepared for the future.
More information is available on the official INSPIRES website.
The INSPIRES project is funded by the European Union’s Single Market Programme. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
