Abstract
Mineralni Bani – one of those places in Bulgaria that has preserved the local spirit and traditions and has become recognizable with its healing mineral springs and peaceful atmosphere. They are a traditional destination for healing and relaxation. In today’s dynamic world, when tourists are looking for authentic and diverse experiences, mineral waters alone are not enough, because the key to the sustainable development of the region may lie in unexpected but natural symbioses, such as an alliance between tourism and the local agricultural sector.
A diagnostic analysis of the agricultural sector and tourism has been made, and the following are characterized for the agricultural sector: Land resources and forest resources (size and structure of land resources, distribution of the area by type of forests and by type of land), Agricultural fund (size and structure of agricultural lands, production of agricultural products in villages, production of animal products.
Tourism in the municipality of Mineralni bani has been characterized. Culture and archaeological landmarks in the municipality have been described, which are an important prerequisite for the development of tourism in it. The material accommodation base has been presented, and the indicators Number of overnight stays per month in a hotel room and Cost of one overnight stay in a two-star hotel have been studied. Nutrition has been examined as one of the main elements in the tourist product, in the specifics of the region.
Mineralni bani and the surrounding villages have an incredible agrarian wealth. Fertile soils and a favourable climate are prerequisites for the production of quality fruits, vegetables, honey, dairy and meat products. Instead of exporting these gifts as raw materials or selling them to large chains, they can become the basis of a unique tourist offer. Conclusions and generalizations have been made that would be beneficial for the development of the two sectors under consideration, which would lead to the overall development of the studied municipality.
Keywords: Tourism, agricultural sector, opportunity, development, symbiosis, small sites