Contemporary tendencies in development of sacred tourism in Bulgaria

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to determine the main issues of the development of sacred tourism in Bulgaria as well as to make suggestions for its contemporary advance. This paper elaborates on the historic roots of the earliest forms of sacred tourism. It notes the global experience in the definition of this specific type of tourism, as well as the lack of regulation in the contemporary Bulgarian legislation. As far as Bulgaria is concerned, the paper elaborates on most of the existing reasons for the development of this specialized type of tourism as well as the experience which number of Bulgarian foundations bring. Most organizations aim at popularizing the Bulgarian Orthodox Christian culture and at organizing activities such as pilgrimages and educational trips. The paper analyses the main issues of tourism development in Bulgaria. The given suggestions are in respect to the establishment of an integrated tourism product, which would be the key for a successful development of this specific type of tourism. The paper suggest that a national strategy must be implemented and supported by the efforts of the government, the religious institutions, non-profit sector, businesses, municipalities, and local tourism councils. All this could lead to the broad establishment of an adequate, up to the standards of contemporary requirements tourism product, which would set Bulgaria as a competitive destination for sacred tourism.