Events
Belogradchik rocks Balloon Fiesta
From 22.09 to 25.09.2022 in Belogradchik will be held the Second Balloon Fiesta over the Belogradchik Rocks with the participation of about 20 balloons from all over Europe!
More information about the event can be found here
FESTIVAL OF HOT-AIR BALLOONS – BALLOON ADVENTURE
In the period 13- 17 September 2017 at the Erden Airport in Montana area took place the FESTIVAL OF HOT-AIR BALLOONS – „BALLOON ADVENTURE “
The five-day event attracted 50 participants, experienced in the field of balloon flying – ground crews, pilots from Bulgaria and Romania and members of the project team. BALON FIESTA „BALLOON ADVENTURE “ was visited by more than 200 people and promoted the new tourist product in the cross-border region. Observing the region’s nature from the air, flying with a balloon is a dream that can be realized for everyone.
Every day of the event were made morning flights, evening flights and tethered flights. For participants was provided accommodation, catering and meeting room in hotel Zhitomir, town of Montana. Fuel for the hot-air balloons was provided under the project.
Forthcoming are tethered flights in 9 towns as follows:
August 12, 2017 – Kozloduy
August 13, 2017 – Lom
August 14, 2017 – Vidin
August 15, 2017 – Belogradchik
August 16, 2017 – Montana
August 17, 2017 – Vratsa
August 18, 2017 – Pleven
August 19, 2017 – Oryahovo
August 20, 2017 – Lom
Registration for rising on the balloon will be done on the spot.
We remind you the fact that the rise of the balloon depends on climatic conditions and wind speed in particular, which is why we reserve the right to postpone the raising of the balloon in inappropriate conditions and to be carried out on another day.
All citizens can climb into the balloon for free and become part of a memorable event under the „Balloon adventure – a new joint tourism product“ project.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Forthcoming events
Workshops
There will be 4 seminars in Bulgaria and 4 in Romania, where organizations and companies related to tourism will be invited. We plan during the seminars to conduct free flying with a hot-air balloon over the places where the seminars are held or near them. Participants will be able to observe the flight of the balloon.
During the seminars, the project will be presented as well as the developed marketing strategy for positioning a new cross-border tourist product. It will also be discussed creation of promotional network that will include tourist sites, which will provide promotional materials to promote the new tourist product.
There will be free balloon flying, during which will be shot unique photos of interesting natural and cultural-historical sites. It is a unique opportunity for each of the areas along the Danube to attract the interest of tourists in such an attractive way.
A film will be made and many beautiful photos from the air, which in the form of brochures and flyers will advertise the area in front of Bulgarian, Romanian and foreign tourists during tourism fairs in Bulgaria and abroad.
Balloon flights on ropes in 20 towns – 10 in Bulgaria and 10 in Romania
During the raising of the balloon in 10 towns in Bulgaria and Romania, all enthusiasts will have the opportunity to be into the balloon and enjoy the experience completely free.
Balloon fiesta
Fifty participants will be invited to participate in the Balloon Fiesta to form 10 crews who will raise hot air balloons for 5 days at Erden, Montana Airport.
Conducted events
Fourth workshop with stakeholders, 17-18 August, 2017 – Pleven
On 17 -18 August 2017 Beneficiary 2 organized and conducted the 4th workshop with local stakeholders for the creation of a joint CBC tourism offer in Pleven. Workshop was attended by 41 stakeholders interested in the new tourism attraction. Stakeholders were representatives of tour operators, municipality and organizers of events. During the workshops, participants were informed on the project activities and results, project goals, marketing strategy for the the new cross-border tourism product. Tourism branch representatives were informed about the opportunity to diversify the tourism offers obtainable in the whole cross-border area.
Third workshop with stakeholders, 17-18 July, 2017 – Ruse
On July 17 and 18, 2017, third seminar was held in Ruse to present the project „Balloon adventure – a new joint tourism product“. The participants – representatives of Ruse Municipality, Municipal foundation Ruse – free spirit city, Tourist Information Center and other tourism-related organizations were presented the project activities and executing three organizations – ARDBC Vidin, ARDBC 2000 – Montana and ARIES – Oltenia. The Executive Director of ARRBD-Vidin presented in details the idea of the project, namely the development of a new tourist product in which the flying with hot-air balloon to be offered along with the sightseeing of natural and cultural-historical landmarks.
The seminar was attended by the pilot Mihai Ilie, as well as the ground crew, who, within the framework of the project, carried out the free flights and tethering in the areas of the cross-border region.
On the second day of the seminar, the participants had the opportunity to observe the attachment of a hot air balloon LZ-APP, which drew the attention of more than 100 citizens of Ruse.
A final seminar with stakeholders in the town of Pleven is to be held, as well as tethering in 8 other towns. You will receive information on the date and place at https://www.facebook.com/balloon.advnenture and the project website.
With all the activities under the project aim to present the natural and cultural-historical monuments in the cross-border area Romania-Bulgaria in attractive way and show competitiveness of the region in offering tourist attractions.
Second workshop with stakeholders, 29-30 June, 2017 – Montana
On June 29-30, 2017, a second workshop with stakeholders within project „Balloon adventure – a new joint tourism product“ was held in Montana.
The Executive Director of ARRBC 2000 – Montana, Georgia Dimitrova, opened the seminar and presented the members of the project team.
During the seminar the project and the marketing strategy for development and positioning of the tourist product in the cross-border region of Romania-Bulgaria was presented.
The participants in the seminar received answers to a number of questions about basic parameters of the tourist service – number of passengers in the basket, height of flying in free and attached flight and others. The upcoming tethered flights in 10 towns were accepted with great interest from representatives of the tourism industry as well as local authorities. Another event of the project – the balloon fiesta in September 2017 in the town of Montana, was also expected with interest from the participants in the seminar.
The participants in the seminar had the opportunity to observe tethered flight of the hot-air balloon LZ-APP in the village of Studeno buche, municipality of Montana.
First workshop with stakeholders, 26-27 June, 2017 – Rabisha
On June 26-27, 2017 in the village of Ribisha, Vidin, the first of 4 workshops with stakeholders was held to present the project „Balloon adventure – a new joint tourism product“. The marketing strategy for the development and positioning of the tourist product in the cross-border region of Romania-Bulgaria was also presented during the seminar.
Representatives of the tourism industry have become acquainted with the options of the tourist attraction for free flight, as well as tethered flight.
The possibilities for inclusion of the developed tourist product in tourist offers in the cross-border area were discussed. The participants shared the view that the diversification of tourist supply in the Danube region is important and useful for all 8 Danube areas on the Bulgarian side as well as the 7 areas in Romania.
The participants in the seminar had the opportunity to observe a free flight of the LZ-APP hot air balloon in the vicinity of Belogradchik.
Participation in the International tourism fair „Holiday and Spa Expo“, 2017, Sofia
Within this forum, the idea of creating a new cross-border tourist product was presented to many participants and visitors. Significant interest was shown by tour operators, travel agents, representatives of televisions and tourism sites, hoteliers, guides and others.
Training of balloon ground crew
A training course for balloon ground crew was held in November 2016. The training was organized by the Agency for Regional Development and Business Center 2000 – Montana as a partner in the project „Balloon adventure – a new joint tourism product“.
The training sessions took place in Montana, where the purchased hot air balloon flew for the first time.
Training instructor was Mihai Ilie – pilot of a hot-air balloon from Romania with a remarkable experience and an impressive 1300 flight hours. Within 10 days, he trained 10 men and women from Romania and Bulgaria to assist the pilot in the preparation, raising and landing of the balloon. The training course took place in theory and practice and successfully prepared the members of 2 ground crews – Romanian and Bulgarian.
The combination of adrenaline and difficult activities has made training an adventure for all participants and the project team.
After a lot of practical activities and adventures around the balloon, the training ended successfully for all.
The beginning of the balloon adventure was set. Forthcoming are flights on ropes, seminars and the end of the project – a balloon fiesta.
