site.btaUFT Plovdiv Welcomes Minister of Tourism Borshosh, WTO Sec Gen Pololikashvili

The University of Food Technologies (UFT) in Plovdiv welcomed Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh and Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololikashvili, the press centre of the university said.

"We have chosen Plovdiv to host the 9th Global Conference of the World Tourism Organization. Bulgaria won the recognition of the UN specialized agency in competition with many countries and I am proud of this success. This is an exceptional opportunity to present our country as an attractive destination for wine tourism to the world's biggest media and authorities in this sector," said the Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh, quoted in the announcement. 

The two officials were greeted by the Rector of the University of Economics and Technology Prof. Galin Ivanov and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Plamen Mollov. 

Rector Prof. Galin Ivanov presented the University, pointing out that it was established 72 years ago and is unique in its character both for Bulgaria and the Balkans.

"We are the only ones who teach Food and Beverage Technology, Tourism and F&B Management, and from this year our new course "Coffee, Refreshing Drinks and Barista" was launched, according to the Rector. He added that it works in an excellent institutional partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science, Plovdiv Municipality, and representative employers and professional organizations.

"The city of Plovdiv is the perfect location to host the Global Conference as it is the heart of the wine and food industry in Bulgaria. Every year our university plays a key role in the organization of international fairs and exhibitions, with a wine and culinary focus. Our academic contacts are very strong, including a strategic partnership the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) and the fact that we were the third university in the world, after Montpellier in France and Davis in California, accredited to teach in the Master in Wine Management programme. We are motivated and we will do our utmost to defend our candidacy to become a partner of the UN Tourism Academy in Bulgaria," Prof. Mollov said.