PROJECTS & ACTIVITIES
CSR IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN BULGARIA 2009 - 2010
Corporate Social Responsibility in the Tourism Industry in Bulgaria - the Facts and the Future
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
(Click here for the text in BG 
language)
The Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum has been awarded a contract under the Budget Line 04-04-01-01 ‘Projects in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), administered by European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.
Tourism is one of the world's largest industries and contributes a significant part of the economies of many countries. A well developed and maintained tourism sector could provide employment opportunities, attract foreign investments and encourage social and intercultural exchange. Nevertheless, tourism could be the cause of environmental problems and have negative effects on the local community if it is not monitored or properly accounted for.
The Tourism Industry in Bulgaria currently accounts for some 18% of the GDP. The aim of the Project is to promote Corporate Social Responsibility in the tourism industry in the areas of health and safety, energy efficiency, resource conservation, environmental sensitivity, transparent financial reporting, pollution control, all aspects of socially responsible investment, human resource issues, such as providing equal work opportunity to women and young people seeking careers.
Tourism, a hugely competitive industry, is an important part of GDP and GDP growth in Bulgaria and because of that sustainable development is essential but can only be achieved through socially responsible investment and a proper approach to all aspects of CSR.
Partners with BBLF in the Project are the State Agency for Tourism, the NGO - Initiatives for International Development and Sofia University - Public Administration Department of the Faculty of Philosophy.
The project will run until February 2010. We are now inviting members of the Tourism Industry to participate with their experiences and ideas - we will be sending a questionnaire to all parties who express an interest, and all participants will be kept informed of progress, will be invited to attend workshops and conferences, and will receive the final report after the completion of the project cycle.
Read more about the Goals of the Project! BG EN 
PARTICIPATE IN OUR SURVEY!
(Click here for the text in BG language)
Part of the project involves gathering current information on the opinions of tourists who have spent their holidays in Bulgarian resorts, information from hotel managers and owners regarding their practices and views on CSR, as well as the opinions on the working conditions from people employed in the tourism sector. If you like to participate in one of our surveys,
Please identify yourselves with one of the following below:
- I am a summer tourist
- I am a winter tourist
-
I am in tourism as a manager/owner of a small, medium or large hotel complex, restaurant, bar, nightclub, cafe, sports facility, shop, tourist agency, transport company or other business venue
- I am an employee working in the tourism industry
WIKI PAGE
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What is a "wiki"?
A wiki is a database of articles, presentations etc about a particular subject. Ours is about Corporate Social Responsibility in Bulgarian tourism. You will find many useful articles here and many comments from other users of the wiki about the articles.
How to access the wiki?
Click on the link below (in blue letters) and you will immediately go to the home page of the wiki. On the left hand column are a number of broad topics and the main part of the page contains the information and other links to articles.
You will see a number of links each of which will take you to an article described very briefly with the link. At the top of each page is a link that will always take you back to the topic menu. This is an open wiki which means you have access to all pages and all information.
Go to the wiki:
http://tourism-csrbg.wikispaces.com/
Be part of the Wiki!
We encourage you to make comments on the articles that are presented on the wiki page. Even a short comment such as "this was useful " or "not relevant here in Bulgaria" would help other wiki users. Even better, if you know of other resources such as YouTube videos, PowerPoint slides, articles from newspapers, books, photos etc., please let us know so we can expand the wiki.
Finally, come back often as new resources and links are being added all the time!
WORKSHOPS
(Click here for the text in BG language)
WORKSHOP 1, May 29th, Sofia
The first workshop was successfully conducted on May 29th. Close to 40 representatives of the tourism industry took part in the discussions.
For more information about the topics of discussion, the official guests and lecturers please click on one of the folllowing inks below.
Click here for the summary in BG language
Click here for the summary in EN language
See pictures from the workshop! BG
See pictures from the workshop! EN
WORKSHOP 2, September 4th, Euxinograd Estate, Varna Municipality
The seminar "Are we ready, willing and able to develop responsible tourism?" brought to the same table representatives from tourist agencies, the hospitality business, the government, NGOs and the academia.
Programme, Workshop 2
Click here for the workshop program in BG language
Click here for the workshop program in EN language
Summary, Workshop 2
Click here for the summary in BG language
Click here for the summary in EN language
WORKSHOP 3, November 11th, Sofia
The third workshop "Responsible Tourism in Bulgaria - Going Forward" was very successful and attracted over 60 participants to the event. The program featured real case studies stirring a very interesting and useful discussion on the topic of applying CSR practices in the context of Bulgarian tourism.
Programme, Workshop 3
Click here for the workshop program in BG language
Click here for the workshop program in EN language
WORK IN PROGRESS!
(Click here for the text in BG language)
1. Background: A considerable effort has gone into identifying the key stakeholders and preparing current databases for future surveys and direct contact. We are now contacting key industry bodies to enlist their support and co-operation in the project.
2. Surveys: Online surveys and paper questionnaires are available in English and Bulgarian languages for the main tourist and industry information gathering. A pilot study of the winter tourist perceptions is now completed. Currently inquiries for summer tourists are being conducted at the summer resorts.
3. Desk Research: The preliminary reports on the experience of Austria and Spain are now complete, and available to BBLF members and interested parties who agree to work with us as informal partners free of charge. Contact Stanislava Peycheva at the BBLF office (office@bblf.bg) for your electronic copy.
4. Website: The website is operational.
Also a wiki page dedicated to CSR in the Tourism industry is now accessible at:
http://tourism-csrbg.wikispaces.com/
If you would like to contribute, send us your ideas at office@bblf.bg and we will post all relevant information on the wiki!
5. Workshops and study groups:
WORKSHOP 1, May 29th, Sofia
The first workshop was successfully conducted on May 30th. Close to 40 participants representing the different spheres of the tourism industry took part in the discussions. For more information about the topics of discussion, the official guests and lecturers please click here.
WORKSHOP 2, September 4th, Varna
We are currently seeking interested parties representing all stakeholders, who would like to participate in the upcoming workshop. To receive more information or participate in the event please send your inquiry to office@bblf.bg
6. International Conference and Expert Workshop:
Click here to visit the Conference special website!
7. CSR Charter - Code of Ethics for CSR in the Tourism Industry: An initial draft of the Code of Ethics was presented during the first workshop in May. This draft is based on findings from the project and it will continue to be refined as we go along and as we receive inputs from the stakeholders in the tourism industry. If you would like to receive a copy of the draft please send us an email to: office@bblf.bg
THE PROJECT IN THE MEDIA:
Hotel and Restaurants Magazine
"Corporate Social Responsibility - in the Focus of a New Project about Tourism" March 2009, Hotel and Restaurants Magazine, Issue ¹2, 2009, p. 16.
EBF TV
TV Program: "EBF Guest", July 31st
"Responsible Tourism at the Bulgarian Seaside"
Radio Varna
Radio Program: "Position", Saturday August 1st, 10 am - noon
"Is Tourism Responsible at the Black Sea Coast?"
Radio Stara Zagora
Radio Program : "The day in 2 hours", 15.00 - 17.00
"Resposnible Tourism" : Survey carried out at the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast
Read a detailed list of media coverage on the activities of the Project!
FINAL CONFERENCE AND EXPERT WORKSHOP!
(Click here for the text in BG language)
The Conference will take place in January 2010. Its purpose is to create an opportunity for a dialogue between all stakeholders on the issues of CSR in the Tourism industry. The results of the Project - CSR Tourism Industry in Bulgaria will be presented on the first day of the Conference. There will be guest lecturers from the country and abroad who will share their knowledge and experiences of CSR in the Tourism with the participants at the Conference.
An assessment of the strengths and weaknesses in the Bulgarian Tourism industry will be carried out as well as a discussion on the relevant facts and attitudes in both EU and non-EU countries. An important part of the Conference will be a review of the practices that can be learned from the existing knowledge in other countries for the future benefit of the sustainable development of the industry in Bulgaria.
Webpage was last updated on March 1st, 2010
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