A user-friendly method for monitoring ecotourism trends in bulgarian pilot regions based on the results of the biodiversity conservation and economic growth (BCEG) project

Abstract

Purpose: This study presents an attempt to create guidelines for user-friendly method for
monitoring ecotourism trends in connection with a project of USAID, aimed at the
development of ecological tourism in Bulgaria.
Motivation: Our motivation for writing this article is our desire to pay attention ecological
tourism in Bulgaria. We want to put a discussion on the introduction of more adequate
methods of measuring environmental impacts and economic growth at regional level
(especially when it comes to small and less developed regions). Created by international
organizations methodology is too complicated and makes it impractical and unusable in small
and inadequate administrative capacity regions. We want to draw attention to the need to
discuss more flexible and differentiated policy of the state of eco-tourism and opportunities
for application of certain accounting options that would benefit its development in Bulgaria.
It would be beneficial for the correct measurement of the environmental effects of economic
growth in relation to eco-tourism and would allow for more adequate and efficient
management of ecological tourism activities.
Designs/methodology/approach: The methods of analysis used include accounting analysis,
statistics, and institutional methods. The study examines a real example of ecotourism
projects. The basic data on which the present survey built consist of official documents and
statistics that are publicly accessible.
Findings: For the less developed regions, the monitoring and reporting systems of the
economic and environmental benefits of ecotourism should be simplified, but consistent with
the general principles of accountability and monitoring. Along with this, they should reflect
the contributions of the most important organizational forms in creating economic growth and
conservation.
Research limitations/implications: Not all necessary survey data are publicly available or
collected. This situation required the use of scientific methods of analysis to eliminate the
lack of data.
Paper type Research paper
JEL: M 41, H 83, P 28, Q56, L 83