Hristo Stoichkov becomes the first Sports Tourism Ambassador of the UN World Tourism Organization

Hristo Stoichkov is the new Special Ambassador of the World Tourism Organization to the United Nations. This became clear during an official meeting at the Council of Ministers between Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh, UN Tourism Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili and world-famous Bulgarian football player Hristo Stoichkov.

The meeting is part of the program of the official visit of the delegation from the World Tourism Organization to the UN at the invitation of the Ministry of Tourism.

Miroslav Borshosh said that he and the Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili had taken a unanimous decision in favour of the face of sports tourism in the World Organisation to be Bulgarian: "I am happy that today with UN Tourism we have the honour to jointly announce that the World Tourism Organisation is nominating its first ambassador for sports tourism and he is Bulgarian. This will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening Bulgaria's image on the world tourism map," the Minister of Tourism commented.

The Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized Bulgaria's potential for tourism development in both traditional and new areas. He said that our country has significant but untapped potential in the fields of sports, culture, gastronomy and wine tourism. Two major conferences will be organized in Bulgaria in 2025 because of the position of the UN specialized agency, which recognizes Bulgaria as a leader in the region.

At the meeting with the Prime Minister, specific initiatives were shared in the field of education, which the Ministry will develop jointly with the World Organisation. Among the common projects discussed is the publication of a guidebook for investments in the tourism sector in Bulgaria, which will guide foreign investors interested in opportunities to invest in the tourism sector in Bulgaria.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili is on a special visit to Bulgaria this week at the invitation of Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh.  The two signed a letter of intent announcing Bulgaria's hosting of the Ninth Global Wine Tourism Conference, and later today the Ministry of Tourism will announce when and in which Bulgarian city the prestigious forum will be held under the auspices of the UN World Tourism Organization.