Photo: Ministry of Tourism
Bulgaria begins preparations to host a forum of the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations (UN Tourism) dedicated to cultural tourism and education, with the support of UNESCO. During an interregional tourism forum in Montenegro, Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov proposed that the event take place in late May 2027 in the Rose Valley, which he described as one of the most attractive destinations in Bulgaria, his Ministry reported on October 13.
“Our international guests will experience the magic of the rose harvest and get a glimpse of the cultural heritage we have preserved for centuries,” the Minister added. The forum’s programme may also include a visit to the Rose Museum in Kazanlak, a presentation on the production of Bulgarian rose oil, a tour of the Kazanlak Thracian Tomb - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - and the Valley of the Thracian Kings.
Dimitrov has been participating since Monday in the Europe-Asia Interregional High-Level Tourism Forum in Podgorica. He held an official meeting with UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais, as well as bilateral talks with Tourism Ministers Simonida Kordic of Montenegro and Kostas Kumis of Cyprus.
A key focus of the meetings was the expansion of the Association of Higher Education Institutions Training Tourism Professionals, established in Bulgaria. The ambition is to gradually attract European and global universities to join the Association. “Our goal is for Bulgaria to serve as the headquarters of an international platform for education and training in the tourism sector. UN Tourism has the global network and expertise, and we have the concept and are already building the structure on which this idea can be developed,” said Minister Dimitrov.
He also presented the Observatory for the Quality and Sustainability of Tourism Products, which will analyze real-world data on the sector. Based on this data, periodic assessments of the state of tourism by destination will be prepared.
Dimitrov presented at the forum the international initiatives with the potential to establish Bulgaria as an active hub for cultural tourism, education, and the exchange of expertise in the sector.