The Bulgarian Tourist Union ( Bulgarian. Bulgarian Tourism Union ) is a voluntary, independent, non-partisan and non-governmental association engaged in the organization of public recreation, sports and tourism, cultural, local history, environmental and environmental activities. The main goal of the Bulgarian Tourist Union is to help develop civil society and democracy in the Republic of Bulgaria in the field of public tourism.
The Bulgarian Tourist Union helps create conditions for:
- the implementation of tourism and related outdoor activities;
- development of various types and forms of tourism;
- stimulation of orienteering , mountaineering , caving , the introduction of modern achievements in the sports and tourist area;
The Bulgarian Union of Tourists works to preserve the environment of Bulgaria and its cultural and historical heritage, popularizes them in all countries of the world.
The Bulgarian Tourist Union owns 410 objects, of which:
- 219 cottages for more than 13 thousand people;
- 26 barriers for 283 people ( Barrier is a small hut where 4-5 people can shelter for a few hours and up to a couple of days during bad weather. There are no personnel in them, but they are always open. BTS workers ensure that there is always some firewood in the houses matches, minimal food, a couple of blankets and drinking water. There is no sewage and electricity in these huts.);
- 33 camp sites for 2,394 seats;
- 33 tourist bedrooms with 1296 beds;
- 13 campgrounds for 383 places.
Content
History of the Bulgarian Tourist Union
The prehistory of organized tourism in Bulgaria begins with a pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulcher to Jerusalem and the Rila Monastery , shopping trips to Dubrovnik , Vienna and Budapest .
The first stage (1895-1944)
On August 27, 1895, after climbing the Cherni Vrah peak in the Vitosha mountain range, a Bulgarian Tourist Club was established. This happened on the initiative of Aleko Konstantinov . The announcement of the establishment of the club was published in the Zname newspaper (No. 99 dated August 23, 1895) and addressed to all lovers of Bulgarian nature. Over 300 people of all strata and ages of the Bulgarian population respond to it.
After the murder of Konstantinov, the activity of the club subsides. It is reborn on August 23, 1899 as the First Bulgarian Commonwealth of Tourists . Created bylaws, set goals, objectives and program of society. Begins active organizational and cultural activities. At the beginning of the 20th century , branches of society quickly emerged throughout Bulgaria. Established Union of young tourists .
This stage is characterized by the establishment of new branches of the Union, the approval of the main types of tourism activities: gardening and environmental protection, marking of trails for tourism, construction of holiday cottages. The basics of mountaineering and speleology are being developed. Created the first mountain rescue teams. Choirs of tourists are organized.
The second stage (1944-1956)
In early 1945, the Bulgarian Union of Tourists and the Union of Young Tourists united in the National Union of Tourists . During this period, the first “excursion flights” were organized, the Central Alpine School “Malevitsa” appeared. For the first time, the national tourist campaign “Kom-Emine” (1953), which today is part of the E-8 tourist route, takes place. The first orienteering competitions (1954) and the first rowing trip along the Danube River are organized.
Stage Three (1956–1989)
Republican sections of tourism and mountaineering are separated from the Higher Committee of Physical Culture and Sports and are again united in the Bulgarian Union of Tourists as continuers of the cause of the founders, with tourist unions - the heirs of the branches of the Bulgarian Union of Tourists among the associations. Many caves , gorges and mountains in Bulgaria and in other countries are explored. A federation of tourism, mountaineering, speleology, nature protection and orientation. Built many cottages. State structures actively support the movement of tourists.
In 1984, the Bulgarian mountaineering expedition conquers Everest . Hristo Prodanov sets a world record for lifting on his south-western ridge, without an oxygen mask.
Stage Four (from November 10, 1989)
Sharply reduced and completely stopped state funding. The number of members of the organization is decreasing, personnel is aging, cottages are destroyed and looted. Young people prefer the urban environment. At the beginning of the XXI century begins a new rise in tourism. There are 2,150 km of marked hiking trails in the Bulgarian part of the E-3, E-4 and E-8 European Walking Routes. Eco-trails and information centers are created on the approaches to the mountains and in big cities. The movement “100 national tourist sites” and tourist relations with neighboring countries are resumed.
See also
- Tourism in Bulgaria