The Wine Culture Tourism Exchange (WCTE) Regional Tourism Project

Regional Development Project Kyiv Initiative: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia Moldova, Ukraine

Broad Black Sea Participation Greece, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, ‘the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’, Bosnia & Herzegovina

New Economy Project Uses culture and creativity Links sectors across frontiers Network based Public / Private management Generates revenues to sustain itself Based on partnership and collaboration

What is the WCTE? A linking of Three Sectors Relationship based on an exchange of goods and services between these sectors

Wine Sector First, wine tourism is something all countries have in common: Wine has played a significant cultural role in the development of civilisation Wine routes criss-cross regions They represent a common cultural past This common past pre-dates by centuries modern frontiers Cross-frontier collaboration could contribute to peace and prosperity

Why Cultural Sector? Culture = Substance of Tourism Experience Culture no longer just a Passive sector providing ‘consumer’ experiences Culture is a dynamic interface Cultural industries generate creative energy and revenues Cultural communities can engage as partners in the project

Why Tourism Sector? Tourism Wine tourism One of the most important sectors in terms of economic development in Black Sea Region All countries want to develop tourism Promotion of National Identity – promotion of international recognition of this Wine tourism Increase number of tourists Help to decentralise the tourism industry and engage local communities in promoting their heritage Create regional cooperation in tourism Will create employment and bring in local communities

WCTE 2007- 2009 In the launching meeting of the WCTE Achievements Initial objectives Where do the countries want to be in 2009

Road Map 2009 and Beyond Plenary Meeting Thessaloniki, 2-4 November 2006 Plenary meeting Kusadasi, 28-30 June 2007 Where do the KI countries want to be with respect to Vine Route cooperation at the end of 2009? What are the concrete steps which should be taken to achieve this in 2007/2008/2009? How will this be developed and put into place in a concrete way?

Conclusions: A. The development of one wine route in each country which would meet the established norms and standards B. Setting up of national working groups to carry the project forward in each country C. A dedicated cultural tourism portal linking the ‘vine routes’, with on-line sales and booking capacity

D. Training manuals and programmes for wine route development The linking of wine routes across frontiers i.e. Azerbaijan and Georgia; D. Training manuals and programmes for wine route development F. Development of a “Vine” Association or “Foundation” G. Focussed partnership strategy for going forward

Achievements What have we achieved? At least one dedicated WCTE wine route in each state has been offered to the Project A draft checklist of Norms and Standards which will govern those routes has been developed A wine/cultural portal is being developed Cultural Mapping of the WCTE wine routes in each country Interest from a broad range of Black Sea states has been demonstrated

Wine Routes of Armenia

Wine Routes of Azerbaijan

Wine Routes of Georgia Ski and Snow Spa and Health Sea

Wine Routes of Northern Greece

Wine Routes of Moldova

Wine Routes of Turkey

Wine Routes of Ukraine - Odessa Region

Critical Issues Development of a Governance/partnership strategy Still much to be done but two things are critical if we are to go forward: Critical Issues Development of a Governance/partnership strategy Development of a strategy for sustainability Resources / Funds / support mechanisms

The Istanbul Agenda Development of a Governance/partnership strategy Potential role of BSEC Potential role of Other Institutions or Private Partners Development of a strategy for sustainability Resources / Funds / support mechanisms