site.btaCaretaker Tourism Minister Advances Brand Balkans Initiative at World Travel Market London

Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev participated in pivotal discussions with European counterparts to improve regional tourism cooperation during the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, the Ministry of Tourism press service said here on Wednesday.

Brand Balkans Initiative

A central theme was the development of a joint tourism product, Brand Balkans, aimed at facilitating multi-destination travel within the region. This initiative seeks to attract tourists from overseas markets by offering a cohesive Balkan experience. Miloshev's counterparts, including Italy's Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanche, expressed support for this concept. Minister Santanche proposed a collaborative meeting in Rome with representatives from Montenegro, Albania, Bulgaria, and Italy to establish the Destination Balkans product.

Innovative Training Models

Discussions also included innovative models for training tourism personnel. Italy's successful collaboration with North African countries involves a tourism campus in Egypt, where Italian instructors train young specialists who subsequently pursue careers in Italy's tourism sector. Miloshev expressed interest in adopting similar initiatives to improve training and professional development within Bulgaria.

Year-Round Resort Development

The ministers explored Italy's experience in adapting winter resort infrastructure for summer use, thereby extending tourist activity throughout the year. Bulgaria aims to implement such best practices to develop its mountain resorts as year-round destinations.

Bulgaria-Greece Tourism Committee

Miloshev and Greece's Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, agreed to establish a bilateral Tourism Committee. This committee will focus on improving air connectivity, addressing labour market challenges, and promoting sustainable tourism products. Kefalogianni emphasized the importance of joint efforts to secure European funding for modernizing tourism infrastructure, advancing digitalization, and fostering sustainable tourism.

Bulgaria-Turkiye Tourism Collaboration

In discussions with Turkiye's Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Nadir Alpaslan, it was agreed that the 5th session of the Bulgaria-Turkiye Tourism Committee will convene in Bansko. Topics will include improving border control, developing the Brand Balkans destination, improving Black Sea cruise tourism, and strengthening bilateral tourism sector ties.

Strengthening Balkan Cooperation

Miloshev also met with Serbia's Minister of Tourism, Husein Memic; Croatia's State Secretary for Tourism and Sports, Tonci Glavina; and Montenegro's Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Goran Durovic. These discussions focused on intensifying cooperation among Balkan countries through joint projects aimed at promoting the region as a unified tourist destination.

These engagements at WTM London underscore Bulgaria's commitment to regional collaboration, aiming to position the Balkans as an attractive and diverse global tourist destination.