ORTHODOXY IN BULGARIA AND RELATED RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL EVENTS AND THEIR USE FOR THE NEEDS OF RELIGIOUS TOURISM IN SOUTHWESTERN BULGARIA

Religious tourism, both everywhere in the world and here Bulgaria, is oldest type of tourism. The people past were extremely religious, so by undertaking pilgrimages, they hoped to be healed physically or mentally, purified, thus come closer God. Drawing a parallel with today’s practice religious tourism country, it should noted that becoming more profane alien true worship. spiritual material cultural heritage Orthodoxy Bulgaria as an object pilgrimage provides great opportunities for development country. purpose this study present results on communication policy monasteries southwestern factor Bulgaria. survey was conducted among visitors through use questionnaires structured interviews site when entering leaving sites.