In 2012 a student from the University in Wageningen, NL Manuela Ilakova did a research in the Eastern Rhodopes. NTG could play a key role in taking the initiative to forge connections between the main players in the region. According to Manuela's research, the perceived contribution of the NTG initiatives for the stimulation of local participation in tourism is focused on several aspects. More on: http://newthraciangold.eu/cmsnews.php?nid=290&searchin=2&search=manuela&lng=en

1. Challenges to the successful
participation of local people
in the development of
tourism in the Eastern
Rhodopes
NTG Research Internship
Manuela Stefanova Ilakova
MSc in Leisure, Tourism and Environment
Supervisors: Mihaela Kircheva and Johan Bekhuis

2. Why this research? Без този слайд, може
устно да го обясниш
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Stimulating local participation and ownership is a fundamental
principle of sustainable tourism development.
The success of participatory tourism development is defined by
location-specific circumstances (Tosun, 2000).
Knowledge of certain factors in the regional political, socioeconomic and cultural environment can bring valuable insight
into how to better engage local participation.
Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
Feedback to the NTG – Recommendations

3. Purpose

LOCAL COMMUNITY – participation and challenges
RESEARCH ON:
1.
Entrepreneurship
2.
Decision-making
3.
Collaboration
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TARGET MUNICIPALITIES - Kardzhali, Krumovrgrad,
Ivaylovgrad and Madzharovo
Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
Feedback to the NTG – Recommendations

4. MOTIVATION
•
desire for independence
•
need for achievement
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expectation for personal gain
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relationships with other local entrepreneurs
Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
Feedback to the NTG – Recommendations

5. LOW Entrepreneurial Culture
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Lack of traditions in private entrepreneurship
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Apathy towards tourism entrepreneurship
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Lack of trained human resources
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Low awareness
Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
Feedback to the NTG – Recommendations

6. Unfavourable entrepreneurial environment:
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At national level
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Financial barrier - too high
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EU development programmes
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Perceptions of unfair benefit distribution
Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
Feedback to the NTG – Recommendations

7. Unfavourable entrepreneurial environment:
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At regional and local level
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The Eastern Rhodopes not popular enough
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Infrastructure problems
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Heavy bureaucracy
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Perceived lack of information
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Lack of local entrepreneurial guidance and consultation
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Loss of local ownership
Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
Feedback to the NTG – Recommendations

8. Decision-making –
not effective enough
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Insufficient administrative expertise
Perceived lack of information on opportunities to participate
Low level of awareness about the nature and importance of
participatory tourism decision-making
Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
Feedback to the NTG – Recommendations

9. Decision-making 2
Polarization of views: Entrepreneurs vs. Authorities

Tendency to search the fault in others
Entrepreneurs: “As a young entrepreneur in tourism, I have many views, but
nobody wanted to hear them out so far.”
Vs.
Authorities: “They should be more interested to get involved in decisionmaking…And for now, I repeat, there is only one of them who does that.”

Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
Feedback to the businesses and the
Differing priorities of the NTG – Recommendations local authorities

10. Decision-making 3
Sense of political disempowerment among locals
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Large vertical distance between tourism stakeholders and
the decision-makers
Tourism stakeholders being treated mainly as passive
beneficiaries
“This structure [a local tourism council] is created only to … make it look like we
participate and we’ve done a good job.”
Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
Feedback to the NTG – Recommendations

11. Sector Collaboration 1
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Prerequisites for collaboration in the Eastern Rhodopes:
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Expectation of possible positive outcomes from collaboration
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Existing shared vision among tourism entrepreneurs about
future development
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Recognition of interdependence
Tendency towards partnership developing
Still, little interest in formalizing collaboration at this stage.
Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
Feedback to the NTG – Recommendations

12. Sector Collaboration 2
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Barriers to sector collaboration:
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Lack of stable commitment
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Perception of possibly losing certain economic benefits
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Propensity to individualism
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Externalizing responsibility
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Lack of communication and coordination within the private
sector
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Insufficient understanding of the idea of inter-organizational
collaboration
Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
Feedback to the NTG – Recommendations

13. Feedback for the NTG
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Overall positive local feedback, focused on the following
aspects:
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Promotion and popularization of the Eastern Rhodopes
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Providing training seminars and experience exchange
meetings
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Providing business guidance and advice
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Valuable contacts within the network
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Diversification of the local tourism product
Raising awareness of existing opportunities
However,
Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
Feedback to the NTG – Recommendations

14. Recommendations 1
Source: Lordkipanidze et al, 2005
Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
Feedback to the NTG – Recommendations

15. Recommendations 2
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Direct linkages between tourism entrepreneurs and
farmers in the Eastern Rhodopes can be increased.
Communication campaigns can be launched, explicitly
relating the opportunity for economic gain to the natural
environment, cultural heritage and local handicrafts.
Local community members can effectively participate in
tourism development through their engagement in data
collection and monitoring.
The nature, aims of, and mutual benefits from sector
collaboration need to be clearly communicated.
NTG can provide strategic leadership in bridging different
Purpose – Entrepreneurship – Decision-making – Sector Collaboration –
organizations in the Eastern Rhodopes.
Feedback to the NTG – Recommendations

16. Thank you for your
attention!
Questions?