After the DETOUR Consortium Meeting, the city of Plovdiv hosted the kick-off at the Boris Hristov House of Culture to present the seven funded projects under the European project DETOUR. A total of 175,000 euros in direct funding (25,000 euros per project) is being invested in transforming local ideas into real tourism products, digital solutions and collaboration networks along the Sultan’s Trail. The event brought together representatives of the tourism business, institutions and the media, who were introduced to the specific activities planned for the next 9 months (September 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027). One of the main challenges in the region remains the fragmented offer - individual services that have difficulty reaching international markets as a complete experience.

Over 40 small and medium-sized enterprises in tourism are directly involved in the projects, and over 100 people will undergo training and community activities. The main goals and tasks are related to the development and mapping of over 29 new pedestrian, bicycle and eco-routes, as well as improving the visibility of a minimum of 150 tourist sites and services. 4 business forums will be held in the Thrace Tourist Region to stimulate partnerships and shorter supply chains. Among the main topics are digitalization (QR codes, GPS navigation, digital platforms, CRM), "slow tourism", climate change resilience, eco and apitourism, wine and gastronomy.

Below, a short summary of the 7 funded projects:

Go2Plovdiv – digital gateway for Sultan’s Trail and Thrace Tourist Region

• Lead partner: DAN Travel in partnership with UPASS AD, VILA FLAVIA and 12 other local SMEs.
• Activities: Development of a bilingual digital platform with an interactive map containing a minimum of 5 thematic routes and 25 points of interest. Installation of QR points with a "Digital Concierge", visitor flow analyses and a marketing campaign with over 5,000 digital visits.

The living heritage of the Thrace tourist region

• Lead partner: ET Elhaton – Toni Simidchieva (Hotel-Restaurant Odeon) in partnership with “ESPERO-96″ EOOD, ET Manista – Stoyan Stoyanov and over 10 local SMEs.
• Activities: Storytelling concept and 3 itineraries (eno-gastronomic, artisanal and combined). Development of 4 thematic modules (culinary master classes, artisanal workshops, wine tastings and interpretive guided tours) and a shared digital booking platform.

Sakar Eco Wine Routes

• Lead partner: Winetours Bulgaria in partnership with Sakar Winegrowers, BSPB BirdLife Bulgaria and over 10 SMEs.
• Activities: Digital platform with interactive map and self-guided tours. Digitization of 5 hiking, eco and ornithological routes with GPS navigation and QR information points. Implementation of zero-waste practices during events and eco-initiatives for the restoration of fire-affected territories.

Digital routes and authentic experience in Mineralni bani municipality

• Lead partner: "MOTO KATERITSI" Ltd. together with the Municipality of Mineralni Bani and over 4 SMEs.
• Activities: Digital mapping and filming of 5 eco-trails using Google Maps and Street View; creation of 12 3D visualizations of folk customs and 2 virtual walks. Development of a 7-day flexible program and conducting training on the use of digital tools.

Vinitsa – Living Taste Trails

• Lead partner: SlowTours.bg together with "Apisselect" EOOD (Vinitsa village, Parvomay municipality).
• Activities: Creation of 3 thematic products (bicycle, api and gastronomic tourism), including an installation for apirelaxation (inhalation of beehive air). Introduction and training on the benefits of implementing green practices aimed at the local community. Support for ESG green certification of SMEs.

SmartVelo Thrace: Smart cycling routes for sustainable tourism in Thrace Tourist Region

• Lead partner: Hill Vill Plovdiv OOD and Rentme 2022 EOOD.
• Activities: Development and marking of at least 6 cycling routes (120–150 km), connecting sites such as the Red Church, the Peristitsa Fortress and the Royal Palace in Krichim. Implementation of a digital system for bicycle reservation and rental, installation of 6 stands, 2 sheds and conducting free cycling tours for the community.

Mapped and connected: Field survey and connection of the businesses along Sultan's trail, digital giude of the walking and cycling tourist

• Lead partner: Puldin Bureau for Tourism and Adventures, VELOART Ltd. and Hotel Ego, Mineralni Bani.
• Activities: Field survey and GIS mapping of the Bulgarian section of the Sultan's Road (Septemvri - Svilengrad), with identification of at least 150 sites. Development of a mobile application (Android/iOS), shared database, free CRM tool for businesses for a period of 3 years and holding 4 business forums.

[Credits: MOTTR]