Minister Angelkova opened the Bulgarian stand at WTM show in London

The Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova opened the Bulgarian national stand at the international tourist show WTM in London – the biggest show in the world for professionals. At the exchange, which is held from 6 to 8 November 2017, over 70 ministers of tourism from different countries are expected to take part.  

Bulgaria is presented in the UK capital with a national stand of nearly 300 sq.m. , including  16 travel companies and  municipalities  from the country. They reveal its potential as an all-year-round destination with a focus on cultural and historic, sea, balneological and spa, winter and ski tourism. Presented in the overall image of the country are also other forms of specialized services – eco and rural, wine and gourmet, congress and event tourism, golf, hunting, adventure tourism.

The visitors are highly interested in the Bulgarian stand. Among the main attractions in it is the 3D digital corner, which is a joint initiative for promoting cultural tourism between students from the University of Ruse and the Ministry of Tourism.  The printer reproduces miniatures of famous tourist attractions in the country, which can be received on the spot.  They include well-known fortresses, monasteries and churches, monuments, natural phenomena. “The project  is already  effective  and  is a successful product of  our cooperation  with the academic community  and it illustrates  part of the huge  cultural heritage  of our country”,  Minister Angelkova stated.   

Within the show is also presented the internet platform with mobile application I loveBulgaria, which is part of the plan for digitalization of the marketing and advertising policy of the ministry.  The development, which started last year, covers the 100 national tourist sites and new landmarks from many municipalities along the Black Sea coast and the country’s interior.  After scanning their QR code the visitor finds himself in unique tourist routes.

Installed at the stand is also a touch screen with access to the official tourist portal in Bulgaria via which visitors can get visual information on the specific site or landmark.  They can use VR glasses to get real panoramic image of the sites and also receive a small souvenir.

Among the curious attractions at the Bulgarian stand is an authentic loom used to weave the famous Chiprovtsi kilimi (carpets) – world cultural heritage under the auspices of UNESCO.  Every visitor may sit at a smaller loom and try to arrange the colours themselves.  Every day there are tastings of selected Bulgarian wines and culinary specialties and traditional Bulgarian folk dances will be played at the end of the show.