Sochi Investments Concept & projects

BLACK SEA TOURISM INVESTMENT CONFERENCE
May 18-20, 1999 Mangalia, Romania

(see also release and Declaration)

The Black Sea Tourism Investment Conference will present tourism development opportunities around the Black Sea coast. This Conference is hosted by the Government of Romania, its National Tourism Authority and the Constanta and Bucharest Chambers of Commerce and is a joint undertaking of the Black Sea Environment Programme, the PHARE and TACIS Programmes of the European Commission and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency of the World Bank.

The Conference aims to stimulate sustainable tourism development in the coastal zone regions of Black Sea countries.

The Conference is being organized with the additional participation and assistance of the International Finance Corporation, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, UNIDO, UNCTAD, the World Tourism Organization, the World Travel and Tourism Council and Black Sea Economic Cooperation. This is not a commercial conference; it is a not-for-profit service and costs will be kept to a minimum.

There is no fee for attending. Participants will pay US$150 a day for hotel and food. Attendance is by invitation only.

Each of the countries concerned -- Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria -- have a long tradition of tourism on their coast, in many areas dating back to classical Greece. Fabled places like Varna, Constanta,Yalta, Sochi and Batumi have been almost inaccessible to most world travelers for many decades. Now they are coming back, close and exotic European destinations with extraordinary charm, and a variety of tourism products, from traditional sun and sea and high value spa traditions, to world class natural environments, sports, history and culture, interesting food and superb wines.

Black Sea countries have been reorganizing their legal systems to permit foreign tourism investment. Fundamental measures are being taken to recuperate the Black Sea environmentally. Regional institutions are being forged. The Black Sea countries are well on their way to becoming vital European tourism destinations. This is the right time for the First Black Sea Tourism Investment Conference. It is a strategic opportunity for investors to get in early to develop destinations that will become an important part of Europe's thriving tourism industry.

At the Conference, each country will give a brief overview of tourism investment opportunities on its Black Sea coast and the process for investment. Participating banks will explain the conditions and ways in which they can support tourism investments. International organizations will describe their programs to assist sustainable tourism development. The
Conference will allow maximum time for interaction between investors and key government leaders.

If you would like additional information about the Conference, please contact Conference Coordinator Robert Bentley, Director of Sustainable Tourism Development
Associates, by 100544.3242@compuserve.com

 

DRAFT PROGRAM


MONDAY, 17 MAY
PM Arrivals by European commercial flights to Bucharest (TAROM is the official airline for the Conference and has special fares for BSTIC participants.)
18:30 Special flight Bucharest to Constanta. Registration on board
-- Transfer: Constanta to Mangalia
20:00 Reception in Roman ruins under Hotel President. Welcome by Romanian Government Representative and EC Representative -- Black Sea Display -- Black Sea Environment Programme, Demonstrations of Environmental Land Use Planning, Tourism Information Centers, BSTIN - Black Sea Tourism Information Network and BSTEN, Black Sea Tourism Education Network -- open during entire conference


TUESDAY, 18 MAY
09:00-09:30 Opening Remarks by Romanian Government Representative, TACIS and PHARE Representatives and BSEP Coordinator
09:30-11:00 Country presentations (2) on tourism investment opportunities -- 45 minute overview each.
11:00-11;30 Coffee break
11:30-13:15 Country presentations (3) on tourism investment opportunities
13:15-15:30 Lunch
15:30-17:00 Panel: Multilateral Banks - MIGA, IFC, EBRD, EIB, Black Sea Environment Fund
17:00-19;00 Meetings between country delegations and investors
19;30 Reception - Romanian wine tasting


WEDNESDAY, 19 MAY
09:00-09:15 Review of previous day and announcements
09:15-09:45 Remarks by BSEP Coordinator
09:15-10:45 Panel -- Trends in resort development: Consultants, Tour Operators, Investors
10:45-11:15 Coffee Break
11:15-13:00 Meetings between country delegations and investors
13:00-14:30 Lunch
14:30-18:00 Meetings between country delegations and investors
18:00-19:30 Reception
20:00 Gala Dinner hosted by Romanian NTA


THURSDAY, 20 MAY
09:00-09:30 Review of previous day and program
09:30-10:45 MIGA and IFC
11:00-11:30 Coffee
11:30-12:30 EIB and EBRD
12:30-14:00 Lunch -- Remarks by TACIS and PHARE Representatives Conference ends (Possibility of add-on trips to the Danube Delta or other locations)


BLACK SEA TOURISM INVESTMENT CONFERENCE
May 18-20, 1999 Mangalia,
Romania


REGISTRATION FORM


NAME
SURNAME FIRST NAME


COMPANY/ORGANIZATION


AREA OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY


YOUR POSITION


ADDRESS
COUNTRY

DIAL CODE TEL

FAX EMAIL


CONTACT PERSON


ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE

There is no charge for participation by members of official country delegations, representatives of banks, international organizations or investors. However, the Conference is self-supporting and participants will pay for their accommodation and meals at the President Hotel, which will be at the special rate of US$150 per day.