B2B Tourism Forum was held in Moscow between representatives of Bulgaria and the Northwestern Federal District of Russia

The b2b tourism forum between representatives of Bulgaria and the Northwestern District of the Russian Federation was held in Moscow. Travel companies and municipalities participating in the Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition MITT got involved on the Bulgarian side and on the Russian side, experts from the administration and the specialised business from the Republic of Komi, the Republic of Karelia, the Leningrad Province, the Nenets Autonomous District and other parts of the Russian Federation. Representatives of Komiaviatrans took part in the discussion of the possibilities for organising holidays for children from this Russion region, too.

The meeting was held at the initiative of the Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism and with the assistance of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Komi with the President of the Russian Federation. During the discussion there was a video link bwteen the Bulgarian participants and representatives of the government of the Republic of Komi, of their Ministry of Culture, Tourism and the archives of the tourist industry from that Russian region, etc.

Our tour operators presented the country’s possibilities for various forms of holidays – summer, children’s, family, cultural and historical routes, balneal, spa, gourmet, etc. The hosts showed marked interest in summer recreation and beach holidays in Bulgaria. The rich history of the business relationships between our country and the Republic of Komi was recalled; especially the relations in the field of timber industry where a large number of Bulgarians have worked. It was found at the meeting that it was time for these contacts to be restored and their potential and perspectives, used. All the participants agreed that the forum was an important step toward activating this partnership and setting the beginning of new useful cooperation in the field of tourism.

It was negotiated to organise exchange of information and contacts between the Bulgarian and the Russian tour operators from the region and popularise Bulgaria as a tourist destination in the Northern Federal District, regularly disseminating information about tourist supply in our country. The Bulgarian participants invited their Russian partners to a promotional tour in Bulgaria in order to familiarise them with the possibilities to organise children’s holiday and family recreation.

Deputy Minister Irena Georgieva participated in the opening of one of the biggest exhibitions on the Russian market – MITT in Moscow

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Irena Georgieva, participated in the ceremony on opening the 22^nd edition of the International Travel & Tourism Exhibition MITT in Miscow. She greeted the participants at the Bulgarian stand organised by the Ministry of Tourism and wished them successful work. Our exposition is located in a cetral place in pavilion 2 (hall 1), next to Greece, Israel and Cyprus, and it arouses great interest.

This year our country is present with a stand of 345 sq. m, which is used by 31 co-exhibitors: 27 tourist and transport companies, and four municipalities – Devin, Varna, Primorsko and Sozopol. They reveal our country’s potential as a destination with various offers for summer, children’s, cultutal and historical, balneal, spa, gourmet and other specialised tourist services. The accompanying programme includes folk performances, workshops in drawing and handwork embroidery, as well as tasting of traditional Bulgarian dishes and wines.

МIТТ is held from 23^rd to 26^th March 2016 in the Central Exhibition Complex ‘Expocentre’. The travel market is one of the largest Russian expositions for both general public and professionals. Last year the exposition was visited by over 74 thousand people.