Students to explore cultural sites in Turkey, Bulgaria

A group of high school students from Turkey and Bulgaria will explore natural and cultural sites in both countries, an official said.

Murat Aşım, chief of Turkish National Education Ministry in the northwestern province of Kırklareli, told Anadolu Agency the 15-month long project was launched on Oct. 27.

It was prepared jointly by the students of the Kırklareli Vocational and Technical School in Turkey and the Svilengard Vocational School of Agriculture and Economy in Bulgaria, he added.

Aşım noted the project envisages exploring natural and cultural heritage of two neighboring countries in order to contribute to the regional tourism.
He voiced hope that the project would promote the tourism industry of both countries.

"The aim is to stimulate interest among young people in cross-border tourism with joint ventures, establish a successful business association model and to promote the tourism industry," he added.

Under the framework of the project, a cross-border study tour and a roundtable workshop would be organized for the students.

The project also aims to target tour operators, tourism information centers, owners of hotels and restaurants, municipalities, police departments and local people, Aşım said.

Tourism information booklet and a website in three languages - Turkish, Bulgarian and English - would also be among the other outcomes of the Project.