The usage of mineral waters in Bulgaria as a factor for the development of the municipalities

Abstract

The main goal of this study is an analysis of the use of mineral waters in Bulgaria as a factor for the development of municipalities, increasing the quality of life of local residents and the development of mineral water-related tourism. The research is based on data from strategic documents of municipalities, interviews with their representatives, local residents and local business representatives. The relevance of the topic stems from the fact that the management of mineral waters faces a number of problems that create obstacles to their rational use. The results show that these problems are mainly related to administrative procedures and institutions responsible for mineral waters, as well as to regulatory requirements. The main recommendation is that in order to make full use of the mineral water resource, a national strategy, policy, comprehensive management approach and investment is needed to solve the identified problems at both macro and local levels.

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