site.btaPresident Radev, UN World Tourism Organization Secretary-General Discuss Bulgaria’s Tourism Potential

Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev and UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili discussed the prospects for development of Bulgaria’s significant tourism potential at a meeting in Sofia, the President's Press Secretariat said on Tuesday.

Radev welcomed the support of UNWTO for Bulgaria and highlighted investments in the sector as a key factor for economic growth. Pololikashvili informed the President about some of  UNWTO’s initiatives, including the publication of a guide for tourism investments in Bulgaria to help foreign investors interested in the country’s tourism sector. The sides agreed that Bulgaria has significant untapped potential in cultural, culinary and wine tourism, as well as in spa tourism, thanks to its many high-quality mineral springs. The country ranks second in Europe in the number and flow of mineral springs.

In 2023, Pololikashvili was awarded the Order of St St Cyril and Methodius, First Class, for his contributions to promoting Bulgaria’s cultural and historical heritage.

Earlier on Tuesday, Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh received Pololikashvili at an official meeting in Sofia. The two signed a letter of intent, officially approving Bulgaria as the host of the 9th UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism. Borshosh stressed the importance of this partnership for the development of Bulgarian tourism and maintaining international dialogue in the sector.