Bulgaria is preparing to host a forum of the UN World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) on cultural tourism and education, the tourism ministry said. The plan is to hold it in the Rose Valley at the end of May 2027. UNESCO backs the forum.
Tourism minister Ilin Dimitrov proposed the date and place in Montenegro, where he has been taking part since yesterday in the high-level "Europe – Asia" interregional tourism forum.
The programme may include the Museum of the Rose in Kazanlak, a presentation of how Bulgarian rose oil is made and a rose harvest. Guests could also visit the Kazanlak Thracian Tomb, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Valley of the Thracian Kings.
"Our international guests will feel the magic of the rose harvest and come close to the cultural heritage we have kept for centuries," Dimitrov said.
The minister held official talks with the leadership of the organisation, headed by secretary-general Shaikha Al Nowais. He also met Montenegro's tourism minister Simonida Kordic and Cyprus's tourism minister Kostas Koumis.
The talks focused mostly on expanding the Association of Universities that train staff for tourism. It was set up in Bulgaria, and the aim is for European and world universities to join it gradually.
"Our goal is for Bulgaria to be the home of an international platform for education and training of staff in tourism," Dimitrov said. He said the organisation has the global network and the expertise, while Bulgaria has the concept and is already building the structure on which such a platform can grow.
At the forum the minister also presented the Observatory for the Quality and Sustainability of the Tourism Product. It will analyse real data on the sector and use it to produce regular assessments of tourism by destination.
Dimitrov also presented international initiatives that, according to the ministry, could help Bulgaria establish itself as a hub for cultural tourism, education and the exchange of expertise.
Yesterday at the forum he also said Bulgaria is working on a fast-track system for investment projects in tourism. It will bring together the institutions in charge and make the administrative process clearer and better coordinated for investors.