site.btaBulgaria Shares UNWTO's Vision of Promoting Competitive Tourism Policies

Bulgaria shares the vision of the World Tourism Organization in promoting competitive and sustainable tourism policies as a driver of economic growth and environmental sustainability, said caretaker Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov at a meeting with the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili, the Foreign Ministry said.

The highlight of Friday's meeting was Bulgaria becoming a member of the UNWTO Executive Council for a term of 2023-2027, a position that Bulgaria will hold for the fifth time.

Secretary General Pololikashvili congratulated Minister Kondov on the success and assessed the interaction with the organization as fruitful.

The occasion for the visit of Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili was the 68th session of the UNWTO Commission for Europe, which was held in Sofia between May 31 and June 2. 

Bulgaria currently serves as Vice-Chair of the UNWTO Commission for Europe, along with Hungary, with Greece as Chair. 

The UNWTO Executive Council is the operational governing body that ensures that the UNWTO implements its work programme and adheres to its budget. A total of 35 countries (10 of them European) are members, 34 of which are elected for a four-year term, while Spain remains a permanent representative.

Bulgaria was a member of the UNWTO Executive Council for the periods 1982-1985, 2004-2007, 2010-2013 and 2013-2017. 

Bulgaria's participation in international structures contributes to the country's image as a tourist destination that shares the UNWTO's vision in promoting competitive and sustainable tourism policies that define tourism as an engine for economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability, the Ministry of Tourism stated.