Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, talks to Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization

16 January 2018

 

The Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, held a work meeting with the Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, who took over leadership of the organization on January 1. The two conversed during one of the biggest tourism fairs, FITUR, which is held in Madrid. Cooperation opportunities between the Ministry of Tourism and UNWTO were discussed during the meeting, as well as future joint project, which will contribute to the sector’s sustainable development.

Nearly 8,5 mil. international tourists visited Bulgaria during the January-November period of last year, explained Minister Angelkova, clarifying that a 7,3% growth was registered compared to the same period of the year before, with the number exceeding the country’s populace by 1 mil. Revenues in the tourism sector during the said period amounted to BGN 6,3 bil., growing by 9,2 per cent, compared to the January-November period of 2016.

During the meeting the Minister presented Bulgaria’s priorities during the country’s presidency of the EU Council. She explained that this is exceptionally important for tourism because the country will be in the limelight of European attention. It is yet another opportunity to showcase Bulgaria as a safe tourism destination offering a high-grade, 4-season product.

 

Minister Angelkova familiarized Zurab Pololikashvili with the progress in the preparation of the 2nd edition of the International Congress on World Civilizations and Ancient Routes, to be held in mid-November in Sofia. The event is jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism and the World Tourism Organization. The name was suggested by the Bulgarian party and has already been approved by UNWTO. CNN’s star anchor, Richard Quest, has been invited as moderator of the event, which has the media support of CNN and National Geographic.

Minister Angelkova invited Mr. Pololikashvili to take part in the meeting of the ministers responsible for tourism, which the institution is preparing within the framework of the EU Council Presidency, to be held in February.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism is the first one not only within the country but worldwide as well to launch a service enabling the direct sharing of tourism sites via Viber’s Chat Extension, Minister Angelkova explained further. She clarified that the service is a joint project of the Ministry of Tourism and iLoveBulgaria. Anyone using Viber on their cell phones in Bulgaria will now be able to obtain information about tourism sites in the country via the direct link between the app and the iLoveBulgaria platform.

The Minister informed Zurab Pololikashvili that Bulgaria also opened a direct air service between its capital and Baku. The new flight between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan will enable even more successful development of tourism for both countries, commented the minister, adding that thousands of Azerbaijani tourists visit our country and the direct Sofia-Baku air service will be very beneficial for the growth of their numbers.

UNWTO will support the countries both on a national and regional level in initiatives resulting in sustainable development of tourism, stated Mr. Pololikashvili, adding that the organization will continue to promote the principles and the application of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism towards achievement of the sector’s sustainable development goals.

 

Zurab Pololikashvili was unanimously approved for the position of Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization during the organization’s 22nd General Assembly. The organization’s new Secretary-General will be in office during 2018– 2021.

 

FITUR is among the biggest tourism fairs worldwide, being held for the 38th time this year. While primarily intended for sector professionals, it is also open to the general public. Last year 9 700 from 165 countries took part in the forum, which was attended by over 240 000 tourism professionals and admirers.

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