The project aims to improve the touristic attractiveness in the Serbia/Bulgaria cross- border rural areas on the principles of competitiveness and cooperation, capitalizing on natural and cultural heritage for joint digital promotion strategies of tourism products and services. The project proposes digital location mapping on cultural routes in SR/BG CBC Area (Via Militaris Route, Roman Emperors, and Danube Wine Route, Tesla Ways); the Creation of the digital multi-day tour on the themed route; Developing a website and geo-location- based AR app for a multi-day tour program; Improving digital capacities of tourism service providers and the local population; Promotional activities. The emphasis is on the digital promotion of natural and cultural sites, tangible/ intangible heritage, wine and gastro experience, accommodation, and tour operators in the CBC region.
Contribution to digital tourism product promotion in destination SR/BG CBC region will encourage the improvement of the receptive tourist offer. Development of a thematic cultural multi-day round tour with an eno- gastro concept will be on the protection of cultural heritage, sustainable development, and digital tourism promotion. AR app "Whisper of Wine" aims to activate all five senses on the road for an unforgettable experience of the destination. AR app will provide new, interactive technology in real-time for tourists on the thematic tour and promote the natural, cultural, historical, industrial, and intangible heritage.
This digital solution will solve the shortcomings that will improve the travelers' experience of this CBC region and Balkan heritage in real-time (i.g. cities, prehistory sites, archaeological sites, fortresses, protected natural sites, industrial heritage, villages, wineries, gastronomy, intangible heritage). By pointing the phone at the objects or landscapes, they will see virtual images within the actual photo (i.g. pop-up typography with information) in the chosen language in real- time. They can quickly decide how to explore and what/where to do (i.g. visit local attractions, sleep, eat, and try the local wine and food). That interactivity can attract tourists to extend their stay on the route and consume more products leading to a rise in the local community profit.
Digital mapping of archaeological sites, fortresses, industrial heritage, and protected natural sites, together with the digital promotion of tourism service providers such as wineries, hotels and other accommodations, restaurants, tour operators, and local products, contributes to attractive tourism promotion and valorization of the destination. This new-age technical performance also can be improved, extended, and adapted to different locations, enabling the entire Balkans, Europe, or any particular destination to become a recognizable and desired "smart" tourist destination.