DESTINATION MARKETING ACTIVITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT (FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF THE TOWN OF PLEVEN)

This article aims to present the specific characteristics of destination marketing as a tool for sustainable urban development; to explore, analyse and assess the cultural tourism potential of the town of Pleven, Bulgaria, and to conceptualize a model of integrated marketing strategy to promote the town of Pleven as a destination for cultural tourism.

___

  • [1] Kotler, P., Bowen, J. T., & Makens, J. C. (2009). Marketing for hospitality and tourism. Prentice Hall, р.78.
  • [2] Seppälä-Esser, R., Airey, D., & Szivas, E. (2009). The dependence of tourism SMEs on NTOs: The case of Finland. Journal of Travel Research, 48(2), 177-190.
  • [3] Pereira-Moliner, J., Font, X., Tarí, J. J., Molina-Azorin, J. F., Lopez-Gamero, M. D., & Pertusa-Ortega, E. M. (2015). The Holy Grail: Environmental management, competitive advantage and business performance in the Spanish hotel industry. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 27(5), 714-738, pp.714 – 738.
  • [4] Hays, S., Page, S. J., & Buhalis, D. (2013). Social media as a destination marketing tool: its use by national tourism organisations. Current issues in Tourism, 16(3), 211-239, pp. 211-239.
  • [5] Pike, S., & Page, S. J. (2014). Destination Marketing Organizations and destination marketing: A narrative analysis of the literature. Tourism management, 41, 202-227, pp. 1-26.
  • [6] Ashworth, G. J., & Voogd, H. (1990). Selling the city: Marketing approaches in public sector urban planning. Belhaven Press, pp. 489–494.
  • [7] Middleton, V. T., Fyall, A., Morgan, M., Morgan, M., & Ranchhod, A. (2009). Marketing in travel and tourism. Routledge. 2014.
  • [8] Tsvetanova, E. Marketing of territorial units in the context of sustainable regional development. Issue: Standards and Challenges to Public Administration in the XXI Century: Jubilee International Conference - Svishtov , 10-11 May 2013, pp. 100-110.
  • [9] Bulgarian National Statistical Institute (2012). Population by province, municipality, settlement and ethnic identification, by 01.02.2011; Bulgarian National Statistical Institute Publications.
  • [10] Concept for Tourism Zoning of Bulgaria (2015). Ministry of Tourism Publications.
  • [11] Ministry of Tourism, http://tourism.egov.bg/registers (last access: 29-11-16).
  • [12] Tsvetanova E. Regional Marketing. AP ‘Tsenov’, Svishtov, Bulgaria, 2016, p. 180.
  • [13] Baker, B. (2007). Destination branding for small cities: The essentials for successful place branding. Destination Branding Book, p. 157.
  • [14] Anastasova L. (2010). Marketing of tourist product, Communication Policy in tourism and services. EX-PRESS, p. 56.
  • [15] Ministry of Tourism, “Support for effective national marketing tourism products and improve information services”, BG161PO001 / 3.3-01 / 2008 / 001-3 “Communication Campaign to promote domestic tourism in Bulgaria”http://www.tourism.government.bg/sites/tourism.government.bg/files/uploads/programi_i_proekti/prikliuchili/project_03_new.pdf (Last access: 25-11-16).
  • [16] Anastasova L. and Luizov. 2012. At. Branding of the city by festival events and study of consumers’ attitudes towards the festival “Join City” in Burgas, methodological and applied aspects. Yearbook BSU, Burgas, Bulgaria.
  • [17] Nikolova, M. (2015). Promotion of cultural heritage in social media and networks // Media and Public Communications. UNWE; Alma communication, №22.
  • [18] Vasileva, S. (2014). Planned and Unplanned Communication Messages Used for Brand Building, International Scientific Conference, Тhe Financial and Real Economy: Тoward Sustainable Growth, University of Niš,. pp. 243-25.