The International Congress on World Civilizations and Creative Tourism has adopted a draft declaration in Sofia

30 November 2016

The Ministry of Tourism and the leaders of the delegations of the member countries of the World Tourism Organization, representatives of the cultural and tourist institutions of the private sector and non-governmental organizations that took part in the first International Congress on World Civilizations and Creative Tourism in the Bulgarian capital adopted a common declaration. It will be made available to all participants in the forum and after their additions within two weeks, it will be approved as the Declaration of Sofia.

The document emphasizes that tourism is one of the leading global socio-economic sectors, creating opportunities for growth, for the protection of cultural heritage and efficient use of natural resources. It also states that the industry is among the priority areas for the sustainable development of the world with a horizon 2030.

The world civilizations and specifically their history, folklore, myths, architecture and arts are a major factor for the promotion of international cooperation in tourism. The declaration also emphasized that the UN General Assembly approves the year 2017 as International year for the sustainable development of tourism.

The document is not legally binding, but outlines the main priorities and tasks of the tourist industry in the short and medium term.

In her final words before the Congress, Minister Angelkova thanked the participants and especially the WTO for the high level of trust in Bulgaria for organizing such a large-scale event. She pointed out that this trust has been appreciated by our government, especially in the year 2016, which is a record year in the history of the Bulgarian tourism and a 40-year anniversary since the country became a member of the WTO.

Every country according to Nikolina Angelkova, regardless of its size, is of enormous importance for the development of the international tourism. In this respect Bulgaria has a great potential to shine with its own light. The future of Bulgaria as a destination is related to the cultural and historical tourism, because the good stories make the contents of the tourist product and only if we know our history, we can build our present, she said. This process is invariably connected with the new technologies, because they are a factor for the future and their underestimating will make the competitiveness impossible.

The Bulgarian Minister of Tourism summarized the work of the congress as very constructive and successful and proposed that it becomes a permanent event in the calendar of the WTO. Political will is crucial, she said and added that Bulgaria has such political will, which made tourism a priority sector in our economy.

In an emotional address to the audience Dr. Taleb Rifai outlined several important factors for the successful development of the global tourism - good management, creating a good story and respect to one’s own people. He compared the tourism industry with a stadium, which must be filled with enthusiastic visitors, caring for their own achievements. This can only be achieved with joint efforts and is our common responsibility, concluded the Secretary General of the WTO.

The first Congress of World Civilization and Creative Tourism organized by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria and the World Tourism Organization was attended by over 40 government delegations, over 20 ministers, deputy ministers and high-rank officials in the field of tourism from around the world.

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