The serious research potential of the experts working at the International Institute of Management, together with specialists from the International College, was the basis for the development of an Economic Development Strategy and a Plan for Alternative Tourism Development for a municipality from the Northeast Planning Region. – Kaolinovo.

For this purpose, however, the efforts of the municipal administration, non-governmental organizations and active citizens must be united.

The main task of the project was to build a clear and accurate vision for the development of eco and rural tourism, as an important alternative for stimulating employment and economic development in the region. The preliminary preparation of the project team showed that the potential of Kaolinovo municipality in this direction is great, but it should be studied, summarized and developed in a detailed Development Strategy and Plan for its implementation.

The business environment in the region suggests stimulating the creation of small and medium-sized enterprises and the development of family businesses in order to overcome the high level of unemployment. The lack of large industrial facilities, the preserved way of life in small settlements and villages, the diverse landscape suggest good preconditions for developing the niche of alternative tourism.

The main tasks to be emphasized included several important working meetings with representatives of the local community – municipal administration, NGOs, businesses and active citizens, accompanied by an information campaign to increase interest in the developed topics.

To make the survey more effective, three focus groups were formed, consisting of 7-9 experts, covering one subsector each – “Tourism-related infrastructure”, “Human resources quality” and “Marketing”. to focus on several trainings – “Development of tourism infrastructure and organization of the tourism process”, “Basic principles in business plan development”, “Human resources development – the key to successful entrepreneurship”, “Marketing of tourism products – strong and weaknesses, prospects for development “, in which 60 participants from the local community took part.

Very important for the effectiveness of the project was the next step – research activities – collecting information about the available sites of eco and rural tourism, used some of the most modern methods for studying attitudes in focus groups, and considered the local regulations and ways to be improved.

The prepared Strategy for development of eco and rural tourism and the Implementation Plan were repeatedly and in detail discussed before their finalization. It focused on two main areas in which to focus the efforts of local authorities and the public to increase the attractiveness of the proposed tourist product – the establishment of Ludogorsko Eco School for Children and Youth and Cognitive Ethnographic Ecopark Mini Ludogorie “Kyuchuk Deliorman”.

The successful development should be based on two more documents developed under the project – the Communication Strategy and Marketing Plan of Kaolinovo Municipality, which will promote the region as an unknown but very beautiful and quiet destination, offering all conditions for family and cognitive tourism.