site.btaMinister Dinkova Attends Tourism Forum in Italy

Tourism Minister Zaritsa Dinkova was among the keynote speakers at the first International Tourism Forum in Italy, focusing on peace and security and implemented under the auspices of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Dinkova's Ministry reported Sunday.  

The Bulgarian Tourism Minister once again defended her country's Schengen accession and outlined the prospects for the sector. "Solidarity is key. This is the model of our common success in the sector.  Let us focus on what binds us together and act united. Together in Schengen, the Eurozone, the expansion of the single European market. Our history is interconnected, our future is interdependent," Dinkova said.

In her words, tourism is a very effective tool for influence and positioning through so-called soft diplomacy. "There is no tourism without peace and security. Capturing people's hearts with authenticity, culture, archaeology, cuisine - that is real power. The power of tourism. We need to build on our national brands, but also work towards creating combined products to increase the EU's attractiveness as a brand in an increasingly competitive global environment," Minister Dinkova said.

She was adamant that the development of a sustainable tourism product is not only a matter of national or local policy, but also of international partnership, and the development of a common tourism product with the EU brand will significantly increase the number of tourists.

The event, which was also attended by leading ministers from the Italian government, who are closely involved in training new tourism professionals, marks the positioning of the sector at the centre of government policies, with a corresponding major increase in its funding."Because the interconnectedness and influence of tourism on other areas of the economy, and on relations between countries, is enormous," Dinkova told the participants.

Vision, action, future are the three key words of this event, Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche noted. "We need to shine the spotlight on the achievements in our sector, but also start planning together for the present and the future, taking into account the challenges and opportunities," she stressed.

The forum was also attended by tourism ministers from leading destinations, the President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, business representatives, among others.