Tourism Agency of the United Nations Concludesan Official Tour in Bulgaria, Announces Hristo Stoichkov as the Fresh Ambassador
Bulgaria is set to host the 9th UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism, scheduled for October 6-7, 2025, in Plovdiv. The conference, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism of Bulgaria, will be held under the theme "The Art of Wine Tourism" [1][2][3].
Secretary-General Pololikashvili was recently awarded by the Head of State with the Order of SS Cyril and Methodius, first class, in recognition of his work to support Bulgaria. The enhanced collaboration aims to support the diversification and rural development of Bulgaria's tourism sector, with a focus on cultural, culinary, and wine tourism.
The conference aims to bring together experts in the growing field of wine tourism to collaborate on practical solutions for making tourism a driver of a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for communities. It highlights wine as an important cultural asset and a catalyst for sustainable tourism development, with Bulgaria's longstanding winemaking tradition providing a strong basis for further growth and enhanced international recognition of wine tourism at this event [1].
In addition to the wine tourism conference, UN Tourism and Bulgaria's Ministry of Tourism have signed a Letter of Intent for future cooperation to grow and direct investments into Bulgaria's tourism sector. The focus of the enhanced collaboration includes promoting education and continued training in the tourism sector, recognising the growing importance of spa tourism, and the natural resources of the country.
The meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Minister Georg Georgiev, aim to strengthen cooperation and enhance tourism as a pillar of growth for Bulgaria. The potential for an Investment Forum to be held in Bulgaria is also being explored, recognising its status as a regional leader. UN Tourism is committed to publishing guidelines for international investors in the Bulgarian tourism sector.
Apart from the wine tourism conference, UN Tourism has appointed Hristo Stoichkov as its Special Ambassador for Sports Tourism. As a Special Ambassador, Stoichkov will help advance UN Tourism's work on growing sports tourism. Stoichkov, a former footballer who represented Barcelona Football Club, won the Golden Boot at the 1994 World Cup, and played in Italy, Saudi Arabia, and the USA, now works as a philanthropist and supporter of youth empowerment through sport after retiring from sports.
Bulgaria's entry into the Schengen Zone in 2025 is expected to lead to an increase in tourist arrivals. The meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Minister Georg Georgiev, aim to strengthen cooperation and enhance tourism as a pillar of growth for Bulgaria. The potential for an Investment Forum to be held in Bulgaria is being explored, recognising its status as a regional leader.
References: [1] UNWTO. (2022). 9th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism. Retrieved from https://www.unwto.org/conferences/9th-unwto-global-conference-on-wine-tourism [2] Bulgaria Tourism. (n.d.). Plovdiv. Retrieved from https://www.bulgaria-tourism.org/plovdiv [3] Bulgaria Ministry of Tourism. (n.d.). Tourism in Bulgaria. Retrieved from https://www.tourism.bg/en/
- The UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism, scheduled to take place in Bulgaria in October 2025, will focus on empowering communities and promoting sustainable development in the tourism sector.
- UN Tourism and Bulgaria's Ministry of Tourism are partnering to grow and direct investments into the tourism sector, with a focus on education, spa tourism, and utilising the country's natural resources.
- Apart from the wine tourism conference, UN Tourism has appointed Hristo Stoichkov as its Special Ambassador for Sports Tourism, who will help advance sports tourism in the region.
- With Bulgaria's entry into the Schengen Zone in 2025, and potential investment forums on the horizon, tourism is expected to become a significant pillar for growth and development in Bulgaria, contributing to its lifestyle and international recognition.
