A key meeting was held at the Ministry of Tourism between Minister Miroslav Borshosh, Hans Hornik - an international expert on cultural heritage, and Iva Valcheva - Mayor of Hisarya, dedicated to the possibilities of joining a prestigious European organization.

The European Association of Historical Thermal Towns, founded in 2009 in Brussels, unites a network of 50 members from 18 countries. The organization includes 37 municipalities with an established balneological tradition and 13 associated partners, and possesses official recognition from the Council of Europe.

During the discussion, the unique characteristics of Hisarya were presented - one of the oldest balneological centers in Bulgaria with rich archaeological heritage dating back to the Roman era. Experts emphasized the city's compliance with key membership criteria - the presence of a historical thermal zone, architectural monuments, and developed tourist infrastructure.

Statistical data confirm the growing interest in the destination. In the first six months of 2025, the city welcomed nearly 93 thousand tourists, which represents an impressive growth of 39% compared to the previous period. Annually, Hisarya attracts over 152 thousand visitors, with 87% preferring hotel accommodation.

Minister Borshosh emphasized the strategic priorities of the department - development of regional tourist destinations and promotion of various tourist formats, including medical, cultural, and balneological tourism. He underlined the exceptional potential of Hisarya as a destination combining centuries-old traditions, natural resources, and healing mineral springs.

Mayor Iva Valcheva expressed gratitude for the institutional support and confidence that membership in EHTTA will contribute to promoting the cultural heritage of the municipality. In turn, international experts highly appreciated the efforts of the local administration to establish Hisarya as a significant tourist destination.

Among the leading markets for the destination are tourists from Israel, Germany, Turkey, Romania, and Greece, which confirms the international interest in balneological tourism in the region.