Minister Angelkova: The initiative “One Belt, One Road” may lead to a new level of the cooperation between Bulgaria and China

China’s initiative “One Belt, One Road” is in support of the implementation of the action plan for the sustainable development of tourism until the year 2030. Bulgaria supports this endeavor and the 2^nd International Western Silk Road Workshop, hosted by our country in June this year. It is organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Ministry of Tourism with the support of the European Commission. This was said by Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova during the panel “Building partnerships - strengthening of the cooperation in the field of tourism in the framework of the initiative “One Belt, One Road”, which is held in the framework of the 22^nd General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization.

The goal of the initiative is to facilitate the travel and to create long-term mechanisms for the exchange of information. It encourages the development of joint marketing strategies and the strengthening of the tourist education. In addition to this, it contributes for the development of joint strategies for risk management.

“We believe that the “One Belt, One Road” initiative may lead to a new level of the cooperation between Bulgaria and China”, Minister Angelkova said. In her opinion the initiative may turn all difficulties and challenges into real opportunities for development.

Inclusion in tourist routes such as The Western Silk Road is an opportunity for better relations between the countries, but also for investments, the Minister said. In her words these steps are important for the tourism, since this way people gain richer impressions about a country. She also pointed out that this enables the conduct of various advertising campaigns. “Another important thing is that being a part of an itinerary expands the tourist markets of the countries to one another”, Minister Angelkova said.

In a high-level meeting, attended by ministers and delegates, the declaration “Chengtu Initiative - One Belt, One Road” for cooperation in tourism was adopted. The discussion among the ministers contributed for the presentation of the document. The purpose of the declaration is to promote the strengthening of the cooperation in the field of tourism between the countries in the initiative. This is intended to be implemented through exchange of information, creation of mutual marketing strategies for the development and promotion of the common brand “Silk Road”.