STUDY OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE TOURIST SERVICES AND PRODUCTS ON THE TERRITORY OF SAMOKOV LAG: GOOD EUROPEAN PRACTICES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID PANDEMICS

Abstract

Tourism is one of the main parts of the industry in the municipality of Samokov, as well as a major alternative for sustainable socio-economic development on the territory of the LAG "Samokov". Prerequisites for increasing its role at the local level are the good ecological characteristics of the region, the beauty of natural resources, the diversity of the terrain, the favorable climatic conditions, the availability of quality water resources, and last but not least the long-standing traditions. The diversification of tourist products, creation of new combined tourist packages in the field of cultural and historical heritage, protected natural areas, religious tourism, alternative tourism, spa tourism, sports, conference tourism is a guarantee of a good competitive advantage throughout the year. For the effective management of the tourist resources and their complex development on the territory of the LAG "Samokov" it is important to take into account the expected trends related to the tourist behavior of the consumers. European tourism will focus on diversification of tourism products and offering thematic tourism packages in the field of cultural heritage, contemporary culture, protected natural areas, spa, spa tourism, historical, sports, religious tourism and others.