NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AND THE WESTERN BALKANS LAUNCH AN ONLINE GEO-TOURIST MAP

 

Over two hundred representatives of embassies, international organizations and government agencies of the United States have experienced a virtual geo-travel during an official meeting, which celebrated the commissioning of the websites Western Balkans Geo Tourism MapGuide, which is co-branded along with National Geographic.

The meeting took place in the National Geographic Society in Washington DC and was the only one in a series of promotional events that will last from 18^th to 22^nd June 2012 in Washington.

Other events were related exhibitions staged in public places like parks and Farragut building where Ronald Reagan presented the best that the region offers.

Website Western Balkans MapGuide is the regional website designed and co-branded with National Geographic (www.balkansgeotourism.travel).  

The project was supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through its project of Regional Competitiveness Initiative (RCI), and economic development projects implemented by USAID in the participating countries (USAID, Sida FIRMA Project for Bosnia and Herzegovina) while it was realized through the Map Department of National Geographic and the Advisory Committee of the Geotourist map-guides of the Western Balkans (WB GSC).

The Advisory Committee represents a partnership of regional representatives of 6 participating countries, namely: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. The Committee is the body that took over ownership over map-guide and will continue to manage it, in the future.

The project MapGuide took only a year to reach its present stage.

It is the first joint effort of the countries in the region, highlighting the abundance of natural and cultural treasures of the Western Balkans and promote it as a unique destination.
Western Balkans MapGuide is an interactive platform that provides information about destinations, while emphasizing the authentic, natural, cultural and historical attractions.