The Ministry of Tourism is organizing the first National Conference on Cultural and Festival Tourism

The Ministry of Tourism is organizing the first National Conference dedicated to cultural and festival tourism in Bulgaria, which will be held on June 10 and 11, 2025 in Varna. The event is part of the program of the 33rd edition of the International Theatre Festival "Varna Summer" and aims to create a sustainable platform for cooperation between institutions and organizers of cultural events.

The forum under the title "Festivals of Bulgaria through the prism of tourism dynamics" will be held at the "Graffit" Gallery and will bring together representatives of local authorities, the cultural sector, the tourism industry, academic circles and non-governmental organizations. The main focus of the discussions will be the role of festivals as a generator of tourist interest and a factor for the sustainable development of the regions.

"Festivals are not just cultural events, they create identity, attract audiences and inspire travel. They turn places into destinations. That is why it is important to see culture not as a periphery, but to place it at the center of our tourism strategy," said the Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh.

Among the topics that will be discussed during the conference are European practices in the field of festival tourism, the possibilities for developing year-round tourist interest through cultural events, the need for a coordinated national cultural map and strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors.

The conference is organized in cooperation with the "Via Fest" Foundation - the organizer of the "Varna Summer" festival and is open for participation for all interested parties.